Kabul: The Supreme Court of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has announced the release of 2,463 prisoners from various prisons across the country on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. The decision was made under the directive of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
In an official statement released on Saturday, March 29, the Supreme Court also disclosed that the sentences of an additional 3,152 prisoners have been reduced. The selection process for eligible prisoners was carried out by a designated committee comprising representatives from different governmental institutions. However, the statement did not provide specific details regarding the offenses of the released prisoners or the duration of their sentences.
The announcement was made via the Taliban's official social media account on X (formerly Twitter). However, no images of the released prisoners were shared, and the statement did not confirm whether any female prisoners were among those granted amnesty. Some media outlets, citing local officials, have reported that women and children were also among those released.
Prior to this announcement, the Taliban’s prison management department had stated that more than 19,000 individuals, including approximately 800 women, were incarcerated across Afghanistan. Last year, during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, 2,855 prisoners were released, and the sentences of 1,420 others were reduced.
The large-scale release of prisoners on Eid is part of a longstanding tradition in Afghanistan, where authorities often grant pardons or reduce sentences to mark religious occasions. However, the Taliban's handling of prison releases has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the transparency of the selection process and the inclusion of female inmates in amnesty programs.
