Female Afghan Athlete Released from Taliban Detention After 13 Days

A 22-year-old Afghan female athlete has been released after spending 13 days in Taliban custody in Herat province, Afghanistan.

The athlete, identified as Khadija Ahmadzada, was detained on charges related to violations of the group’s rules governing women’s sports facilities.

Local authorities said Khadija was operating a taekwondo gym for girls in the western region near Herat, which Taliban officials claimed violated restrictions on women’s sporting activities.

She was taken into custody by agents from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and was later sentenced by a Taliban court to a 13-day detention period.

Following the completion of her sentence, Taliban officials ordered her release. At the time of reporting, details about her current whereabouts and activities after release remain unclear.

Her detention had drawn attention on social media and raised concerns among human rights advocates about restrictions on women’s participation in sports in Afghanistan.

Since regaining control of the country in 2021, the Taliban government has enforced strict limitations on women’s involvement in sporting and public activities, part of broader policies that have affected women’s education, employment, and public presence. The release of Khadija comes amid continued international focus on women’s rights under Taliban rule.