Habibullah Badr, deputy head of the Taliban's prison administration, has confirmed that Allah Gul Mujahid, a former member of the Afghan parliament, is currently imprisoned in Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on charges of murder.

He stated that Mujahid, like other detainees, is permitted to meet with his family.

In a televised interview, Badr explained: “The case of Allah Gul is a personal matter related to murder; his accusers have referred the case to the court, and the court may issue a sentence of imprisonment or execution. He is currently in prison with us.”

Badr did not disclose when Mujahid was detained by the Taliban. However, documents obtained last month by Afghanistan International revealed that a primary court in Kabul had sentenced Mujahid to 17 years in prison for the premeditated murder of Qari Saeedullah, a Taliban intelligence officer. Mujahid’s son was also sentenced to one year in prison in connection with the case.

He also revealed that between 100 and 130 foreign nationals are currently held in Taliban prisons for various offences, most of whom are citizens of neighbouring countries. He did not specify which nations were involved.

According to Badr, around 12000 individuals are currently incarcerated in Taliban-run prisons, including approximately 1400 women and 300 Taliban members. He denied reports of torture or mistreatment in these facilities, despite ongoing allegations from international organisations regarding human rights abuses and the treatment of prisoners under Taliban rule.