Sunnatullah Taimoor, the former Deputy Head of the Serious Crimes Directorate of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) and former spokesperson for the Governor of Takhar Province, has reportedly been arrested by Iranian security forces in the city of Shiraz. News sources say the arrest took place two nights ago and that he has since been subjected to questioning.
According to sources, Mr. Taimoor was detained due to activities allegedly linked to opposition to the Taliban. However, Iranian authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the reasons for his arrest or his legal status.
At the time of his arrest, Taimoor was pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Shiraz while residing in Iran. No further details have been released regarding his conditions of detention or the legal proceedings against him.
Several individuals close to Mr. Taimoor have expressed concern about his fate. In particular, they fear the possibility of his deportation to Afghanistan, which they say could expose him to serious security risks.
The news of Taimoor’s arrest has also raised concerns among some Taliban opponents living in Iran. Some fear that pressure on Taliban critics and opponents in the country may increase.
Certain sources and political activists believe that, as part of potential interactions or agreements between Iran and the Taliban, restrictions or security measures against some Taliban opponents could be intensified. However, no official authority has commented on such claims.
The report comes amid previous accounts in recent years of former Afghan military personnel and individuals who claimed to face threats from the Taliban being detained and returned from Iran to Afghanistan. Human rights organizations and civil society activists have repeatedly called for greater attention to the situation of such individuals and for adherence to international principles protecting refugees and asylum seekers.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
