A new business called “Badam Bagh”; Stories of arrests and treatment of citizens in Kabul by Taliban special forces

Special report, investigation – Kabul Times News
Reporter: Shahpur Nayebzada

Local sources report the establishment and operation of a center called “Badam Bagh” in Kabul, which, according to them, is run by the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior as part of a beggar collection program; however, a number of residents claim that ordinary people are also arrested and treated inappropriately in this process.

According to these sources, after the Taliban came to power, the process of collecting beggars in Kabul intensified, and the Badam Bagh center, which was previously used as a prison for women and children, has now become a place to keep and register detainees.

Some citizens say that the relevant forces arrest individuals from different parts of the city, including Bagh Bala, Kote Sangi, and Sark Silo, and after transferring them to this center, they keep them for one or more days.

“Baqir,” who describes himself as a street vendor, says: “Despite working legally, I was arrested near my workplace and kept in Badam Bagh for one night.”
“Naser,” another Kabul resident, also claims that he was arrested on his way to work and that despite his explanations, he said, his words were ignored.

According to these people, after being transferred to the center, the process of biometric registration, taking photos, and obtaining guarantees from families is carried out. They also complain about the conditions of detention, lack of facilities, and inappropriate treatment.

At the same time, claims have also been made that financial assistance is received from some international organizations to collect each person; an issue that has not been independently verified.

Taliban officials have not yet officially reacted to these claims.