Ayaz Gul
VOA News
June 20, 2022
ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s Taliban confirmed Monday they had freed several British men after holding them for about six months.
The confirmation came shortly after British officials announced that five of their citizens had been released from detention in Afghanistan.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Twitter post that the men were detained for breaching Afghan laws and traditions. He said they were handed over to the United Kingdom on Sunday following a series of meetings between the Taliban and the U.K. government.
“They pledged to adhere to the laws of Afghanistan, the traditions and the culture of the people, and not to violate them again,” Mujahid added
The British Foreign Office welcomed the release and noted the five men had traveled to the South Asian nation against the advice of the U.K. government.
“This was a mistake,” the statement quoted a representative as saying.
“On behalf of the families of the British nationals, we express their apologies for any breach of Afghan culture, customs or laws, and offer their assurance of future good conduct. The U.K. government regrets this episode.”
British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss wrote on Twitter that the freed prisoners “will soon be reunited with their families” and thanked British diplomats for their role in securing their release.
Neither the Taliban nor British officials immediately made public the names or other details about the freed Britons.
In February, family and friends of British-German dual national Peter Jouvenal reported that he was being held by the Taliban.
A family statement at the time noted that Jouvenal had traveled in Afghanistan for decades as a freelance BBC cameraman and was visiting the country to discuss investments in the Afghan mining industry and to conduct family business when he was taken into custody by the Taliban in December.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 days before the last American, British and other Western coalition troops chaotically withdrew from the country later that month — after almost 20 years of war with the Islamist group.
The Taliban late last year launched a crackdown on foreigners and their Afghan partners, accusing them of working in the country without proper documentation. The hard-line group has also briefly arrested local journalists and rights activists critical of Taliban rule.
Mujahid has rejected charges that the Taliban’s security forces are threatening charity groups or targeting dissents.
“Afghanistan is now safe for all. Anyone can come to Afghanistan with confidence for charity work and tourism,” the Taliban spokesman claimed in his statement Monday.
Ariana: The Ministry of Water and Energy issued a warning of possible floods and rising river levels in some areas of the country for Monday and Tuesday. The ministry said: “On the mentioned dates floods due to rain, melting snow and rising water levels along the rivers might occur in Kokcheh, Takhar, Baghlan, Bamyan, Samangan, Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, Kunar and Khost.” 
CBS News: Since July 2021, USCIS has received over 46,000 applications from Afghans hoping to come to the U.S. through the parole process. But most parole applications from Afghans remain unresolved — and over 90% of fewer than 5,000 fully adjudicated requests have been denied, USCIS statistics shared with CBS News show. 
Reuters: U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Michael Kurilla visited Tajikistan over the weekend. “The United States is working with the Tajik government to determine the best way to effectively use and maintain the aircraft,” Kurilla said. He said the aircraft would definitely not be returned to Afghanistan “because they do not belong to the Taliban”. 
Tolo News: Some residents of Kabul complained over existing restrictions on visiting parks, saying they cannot go to parks and entertainment areas with their families. Earlier, the [Taliban] Ministry of Vice and Virtue issued a schedule that allotted specific days for families as well as for men and women. The restriction on parks is also affecting the business of restaurants and other industries in Paghman and Qargha. 
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8am: Sources in Ghazni province say that the Taliban has imposed new restrictions on women, adding that its virtue promotion department has recently ordered female teachers to appear only in black outfits and face masks. According to sources, the Taliban’s virtue promoters have raided some schools and warned female teachers that they would be relieved of their duties if they did not attend the schools in black outfits and face masks. 
ORF: Around half a dozen anti-Taliban groups made their presence known in March/April 2022 amidst the new fighting season. The announcements are indicative that they think that the situation on the ground is ripe to orchestrate a full-fledged offensive against the Taliban. Although, many groups announced their existence through short videos published on social media, and little is known about them and their kinetic power.