Taliban govt detains aid workers over ‘beard length’ (opens original article in a new tab)

Taliban authorities detained aid workers near the Iran-Afghanistan border for not meeting strict beard length requirements, according to multiple sources. Some were released within 24 hours while others were freed the following day. A Taliban official denied arresting NGO staff but confirmed detentions of government employees for short beards.

• Taliban morality police detained 20 aid workers near Iran-Afghanistan border for short beards
• Aid workers from UN-cooperating organizations were arrested at Islam Qala border crossing
• Taliban official denied arrests of NGO staff but confirmed detentions of government employees for short beards
• Some aid workers released same day, others the next day
• PVPV ministry did not comment on incident