South Asia Times

Taliban Impose Travel Ban on Over 8,000 Former Government Officials

A Taliban official letter has revealed that 8,192 individuals, including former government officials, have been prohibited from leaving the country in 1403 (Solar Hijri Calendar).

The directive, issued by the Directorate for Supervision and Execution of Orders—formerly the Attorney General’s Office—states that these individuals are banned from international travel due to “numerous cases related to them, each containing dozens of volumes.”

Taliban Leader’s Direct Order

According to official documents, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, has personally ordered that these individuals cannot leave Afghanistan without his written approval.

This move comes despite the earlier announcement of the Taliban of a “general amnesty” for former government officials following their takeover of power in August 2021. Since then, however, the group has compiled hundreds of pages of files on these individuals.

Leaked Documents Expose Travel Restrictions

Recently, a hacking group leaked hundreds of pages of classified Taliban documents from several key ministries, including the Directorate for Supervision and Execution of Orders. Portions of these documents have been accessed and shared with Afghanistan International.

One official memorandum on the travel ban also states that any Taliban officials with related criminal or personal files are similarly barred from leaving the country without the Taliban leader’s permission.

Also See: Afghanistan’s Taliban: Stuck in the Past, While the World Moves Forward

Unclear Legal Proceedings Against Former Officials

The details of the charges against former officials remain unclear. However, the documents suggest that the Taliban intends to pursue multiple cases against them.

It is still unknown how many of these individuals have been interrogated, had their cases reviewed in Taliban courts, or received formal verdicts. The Taliban has not provided further clarification on the legal status of these cases.

This news is sourced from Afghanistan International and is intended for informational purposes only.

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