Afghan activist Manizha Seddiqi released after more than 6 months in prison

Manizha Seddiqi, a member of the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women, has been released after more than six months in Taliban prison.

News Center- Manizha Seddiqi, a women’s rights defender and a member of the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women, has been released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison after more than six months in prison.

 Appearing in a press conference broadcast on Tolo News channel on April 4, she said, “I was not tortured in prison. My health is good. Whenever I feel sick, the prison administration transports me to the hospital.” During the press conference, she demanded the Taliban to release her. “I want to be with my family by Eid. I demand them (The Taliban) to release me because I am innocent.”

After the press conference, the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women released a statement saying, “The Taliban has once again denied their crimes and violent behavior against Afghan women. The Taliban forced Manizha Seddiqi to confess that she had not been tortured in prison.”

Manizha Seddiqi was forcibly disappeared on October 9, 2023 and found weeks later in the custody of the Taliban. On December 5, 2023, she was sent to Pule-Charkhi prison in Kabul.