Iran to Transfer 1,500 Afghan Prisoners, Announces Taliban

The Taliban has announced that Iran will soon transfer 1,500 Afghan prisoners to Afghanistan. The announcement, made by the Taliban’s Supreme Court, did not provide specific details regarding the timing or conditions of the transfer.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Taliban’s Supreme Court revealed that a delegation led by Abdul Malik Haqqani, the court’s administrative deputy, met with Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy Chief for International Affairs of the Iranian Judiciary, during a visit to Tehran.

The statement highlighted discussions between the two sides aimed at strengthening judicial and legal cooperation. Among the key topics was the transfer of Afghan prisoners currently held in Iranian custody.

The Taliban also claimed to have raised the issue of exploring alternatives to the death penalty for Afghan prisoners facing execution in Iran. The rights of Afghan migrants were reportedly another topic of discussion during the talks.

In the past, concerns have been raised about the treatment of Afghan prisoners handed over by Iran to the Taliban. There are fears that some of these individuals may be opponents of the Taliban and could face human rights violations upon their return.

This development comes amidst broader issues in Afghan-Iranian relations, including the treatment of Afghan migrants, the execution of Afghan prisoners in Iran, and ongoing judicial interactions between the two countries. These remain significant and contentious matters in their bilateral relationship.