The Taliban has announced the release of 4,249 prisoners from civilian and military prisons across Afghanistan as part of a series of pardons marking the fifth anniversary of its return to power.
According to the Taliban’s Supreme Court, the prisoners were released under a pardon initiative linked to the anniversary of the group’s takeover of Afghanistan. The announcement covers inmates held in both civilian and military detention facilities across the country.
The mass releases come as the Taliban marks five years since it regained control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US-led international forces in August 2021. The anniversary has been accompanied by official events and statements highlighting what the Taliban describes as achievements since returning to power.
Prisoner releases and pardons have previously been used by the Taliban on significant religious and political occasions. Such measures are generally presented by the authorities as humanitarian gestures and opportunities for individuals to return to their communities.
However, Afghanistan’s detention system has remained a subject of international scrutiny, with rights organizations and international bodies raising concerns over due process, arbitrary detention and conditions in some prisons.
The latest announcement provides limited details about the identities and circumstances of those released, including how many were serving sentences for criminal offences or security-related charges.
The release of thousands of prisoners represents one of the largest publicly announced pardon initiatives associated with the Taliban’s fifth anniversary and is likely to draw further attention to the group’s approach to the country’s justice and detention system.