(Kabul) At least 18 staff members of the Swiss NGO International Assistance Mission (IAM), including an American woman, were arrested by the Taliban authorities and accused of being Christian missionaries, we learned from the local government.
In a statement published on its website, IAM explains that the staff members were kidnapped from their office in Ghor, in central Afghanistan, and taken to Kabul, the capital. According to the NGO, this concerns a foreigner and 17 Afghans.
Two Afghan nationals and a member of the international team were arrested on Sunday September 3 at the organization’s office, then 15 others of Afghan nationality on Wednesday September 13 in the same offices, specifies IAM.
Contacted by AFP on Saturday, Abdul Wahid Hamas Ghori, spokesperson for the governor of Ghor province, indicated for his part that 21 people had been arrested, including an American.
Security and intelligence forces had been observing the group for some time, the same source said.
“Documents and audio recordings were obtained showing that they were inviting people to join Christianity,” he added, without providing further details.
The NGO explained for its part that it “currently has no information on the nature of the allegations made” against its staff.
“We are therefore unable to comment or speculate on this ongoing situation,” she added in her statement.
“However, if charges are brought against our organization or any member of our staff, we will independently review all evidence presented,” IAM continued.
On its website, the NGO describes itself as being based on Christian values, but specifies that it does not provide aid based on political or religious beliefs.
Asked by AFP, the US State Department said it was aware of information according to which an American national had been arrested, but indicated that it had “no further details to share at this time”.
Attack in 2010
The NGO has been present in Afghanistan since 1966, when it specialized in eye care, before diversifying into other areas of health and education.
“We appreciate and respect local customs and cultures,” she explains.
Ten IAM doctors, including eight foreigners, were killed in an attack in northern Afghanistan in 2010. At the time, theories differed as to the motive for the attack.
The Taliban leadership and an insurgent group (Hezb-e-Islami) had claimed responsibility for the killings, saying the aid workers were “Christian missionaries” and “NATO spies”.
The police had raised the theory of “theft” by “terrorists” from Nuristan, a province neighboring where they were killed.
Several foreigners have already been arrested by the Taliban authorities since their return to power in August 2021.
Leaders with an austere interpretation of Islam have imposed numerous measures against the freedom of women who believe they are complying with Sharia (Islamic law). For example, Afghan women are prohibited from working for NGOs and the United Nations.
Adolescent girls and women are also banned from schools and universities and excluded from many other aspects of social life.