Taliban Arrest Young Afghan Woman for Teaching Girls Taekwondo
A fearless 22-year-old Afghan woman, Khadija Ahmadzada, was snatched by Taliban morality police for secretly coaching girls in taekwondo at her home. The shocking raid took place on January 10, 2026, in western Afghanistan, where Taliban officers stormed her house and hauled away Khadija and her father. Over a week later, their fate remains a mystery with no information on their location or legal status.
Activists Warn of Death Sentence: Stoning Feared
British-Afghan activist Shabnam Nasimi has issued chilling warnings that Khadija could be facing stoning — a cruel and barbaric execution. Speaking on Instagram, Nasimi revealed that a Taliban judge is reportedly deciding Khadija’s fate in secret. “There are rumours the court has ruled on an extreme death sentence – stoning – for the crime of practising and playing sport,” she said.
“For anyone who doesn’t know what stoning is, it’s when stones are thrown at a living human being until they bleed, collapse and die.”
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett has urged the Taliban to ensure Khadija’s safety and called for her immediate release.
Taliban’s Brutal Crackdown on Women’s Sports Continues
Since grabbing power in 2021, the Taliban have outlawed all women’s and girls’ sports activities. Training, competing, and coaching are all banned, labelled “un-Islamic.” Female gyms and sports centres have been shut down, public exercise outlawed, and girls banned from secondary schools and universities. The regime enforces strict dress codes, forbids mixed-gender recreation, and confines women to their homes with brutal punishments for dissent.
Campaigners Rally for Khadija: “If She Becomes Famous, They Might Back Off”
Women’s rights activists and Afghan sports figures have condemned Khadija’s detention as a violent blow to freedom and dignity. Shabnam Nasimi stressed the power of publicity: “If Khadija becomes famous enough, they may back off. They may release her with a warning because it becomes harder to pretend she never existed.”
