Dutch public service television NOS quoted an official subpoena from the Taliban court that was working with Dutch soldiers serving in Afghanistan: “If we can’t arrest you, we will take out your relatives.” The subpoena stated that, to the knowledge of the Taliban, the summoner was working as an interpreter, so it was “illegally dirty money” for “revenge.” This was followed by threats from family members of the translators in hiding since the Taliban takeover.
A Taliban gunman picks up a journalist who was covering a women’s demonstration in Kabul on September 30, 2021.
Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP
According to the NOS, all indications are that the letters bearing an official seal were indeed sent by the Taliban, but it is almost impossible to obtain confirmation from them. Television claims that it is in contact with dozens of interpreters and other professionals who worked with the Dutch troops, and according to the information obtained from them, their situation is becoming more and more dramatic.
The Taliban called on Afghan interpreters in June to “show remorse,” but otherwise they could remain in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international forces because they “would not be harmed.” Moreover, after the takeover, the Taliban promised all government officials and former soldiers with impunity. But according to an AFP report, and despite all their claims, according to a confidential United Nations report, they are all about those who worked for foreign forces. (via MTI)
