Manizha Siddiqi, a women’s rights activist, claims she was tortured and subjected to gang rape while in Taliban custody.
Siddiqi, who was arrested by the Taliban’s intelligence forces in Kabul on October 9 last year and released on March 28 this year, made these allegations in a recent video sent to VOF.
She claims that the assaults occurred twice—once at the Directorate 40 Intelligence Center and another time at Pul-e-Charkhi Prison, both of which are currently under Taliban control.
Manizha Siddiqi spent nearly seven months in Taliban-run prisons in Kabul. During her imprisonment, she confirmed her detention in a media interview held inside the prison, which appeared to be orchestrated by the Taliban to undermine reports of mistreatment of the activist.
Siddiqi now states that the torture she endured has left her with permanent psychological scars. She described the abuse as unforgettable.
Thus far, the Taliban have made no statement regarding these allegations.
Manizha Siddiqi was reportedly arrested by the Taliban for tearing a picture of their leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and for alleged connections with foreign entities and anti-Taliban groups.