Afghan Merchant Dies After Nearly Five Months in Taliban Custody

DID Press: Local sources say Haji Asil Khan, a merchant from the Ahmad Shah Baba area of Kabul’s 12th district, has died after spending about five months in detention under the Taliban.

Sources told media outlets on Sunday, Sept. 13, that the merchant had faced severe pressure while in detention. They said he suffered two heart attacks during his detention and did not have access to necessary medical care.

The sources added that Khan was engaged in trade with China and had no personal enmity with any individual or group. His family had made several attempts over the past months to secure his release, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

According to the sources, Haji Asil Khan eventually died while in Taliban custody.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the merchant’s death or the allegations regarding his treatment and condition while in detention.

The incident comes amid previous reports of mistreatment and deaths of detainees in Taliban-run detention facilities. The United Nations has also previously documented widespread rights violations against people detained by Taliban authorities, including torture and ill-treatment.