At least three local sources in Sar-e-Pul province told VOF, and shared photos and videos, alleging that Taliban officials at the province’s women’s prison have violated the privacy of female inmates and extorted money from them.
The sources, whose relatives are currently detained at the facility, claim that prison guards secretly film female prisoners and then demand money in exchange for not releasing the footage.
“One of my relatives is imprisoned there — their dignity is not protected,” one source said.
According to information received by VOF, at least 120 women are being held on various charges at the Sar-e-Pul women’s prison.
Another source alleged: “At night, some women are taken out of their block.”
In a video obtained by VOF, an individual appears to be secretly recording female inmates inside the prison compound. However, VOF cannot confirm whether the person filming is a prison official or an inmate. Sources claim that some of these video clips were unintentionally leaked from the mobile phones of prison personnel.
A third source said: “We have all been dishonored — the prison officials themselves filmed the videos.”
Local Taliban authorities have not yet commented on the allegations.
VOF emphasizes that due to limited access to independent sources, it has not been able to independently verify these claims.
However, numerous previous reports have documented torture and mistreatment of female prisoners by Taliban personnel, and alleged victims have provided testimony.