Local sources say that the Taliban have arrested several money changers, cashiers, and employees of money exchange shops in Kandahar city on charges of shaving their beards.
Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Wednesday, September 16, that Taliban Morality Police, accompanied by armed members of the group, went to the money exchange market in Kandahar city today and arrested some people.
According to the sources, 26 people were initially arrested, 13 of whom were later released, while 17 others remain in Taliban custody.
The sources say those arrested have been detained on charges of shaving their beards, trimming their hair and wearing “stylish” clothes.
Officials of the Kandahar Money Changers’ Union went to the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice this afternoon to follow up on the case and seek the release of those arrested.
According to the sources, the head of the Taliban Morality Police said that the detainees had been transferred to the central prison and would not be released anytime soon.
This comes as local sources have complained in recent days about an increase in arrests and the abusive treatment of people by the Taliban Morality Police in Kandahar.
