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Afghan woman freed after 13-day detention over gym operation
The Taliban's supreme court confirmed on Thursday that 22-year-old Khadija Ahmadzada was released after spending nearly two weeks in custody for running a taekwondo facility for girls in western Afghanistan.
Detention linked to strict gender policies
A spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Vice and Virtue told the BBC that Ahmadzada was arrested for breaching regulations governing women's sports centers. The ministry accused her of failing to wear a "proper hijab," playing music, and permitting mixed-gender activities inside her gym.
According to the spokesman, Ahmadzada had received multiple warnings before her detention. She was taken into custody alongside several others after inspectors observed the alleged violations near Herat, a city in western Afghanistan.
Sports restrictions remain in place for Afghan women
Women's sports clubs have been shuttered since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Authorities initially stated the closures were temporary, pending the creation of a "safe environment" aligned with their interpretation of Islamic law. Nearly five years later, no facilities have reopened, and women remain barred from competitive sports.
The ban is part of a broader crackdown on women's rights under Taliban rule, which includes restrictions on education, employment, and dress codes.
International pressure follows arrest
Ahmadzada's detention sparked outrage on social media, drawing attention from Richard Bennett, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan. Bennett publicly demanded her immediate release and also highlighted the case of Nazira Rashidi, a female journalist detained in Kunduz in late December.
Taliban officials have denied any connection between Rashidi's detention and her journalism, according to local reports.
Uncertainty surrounds Ahmadzada's current status
The supreme court announced her release on January 22 but did not disclose her whereabouts or condition. It remains unclear whether she will face further restrictions or monitoring.
