Cairo: A total of 17 Afghan inmates imprisoned in African countries have been set free and returned to their homeland, Afghanistan, the ministry of foreign affairs reported late Saturday. The efforts were part of a diplomatic initiative to ensure the safe return of Afghan citizens detained abroad.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Embassy of Afghanistan in Cairo played a crucial role in facilitating the release of these Afghan citizens. The prisoners were held in jails across multiple African nations, including Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, and Mauritania. Hafiz Zia Ahmad, deputy spokesman for the ministry, announced the successful operation on his social media account.
Various reasons led to the incarceration of Afghan nationals in the said countries, Ahmad declared. These reasons have not been detailed, but the ministry’s actions reflect an ongoing effort to address the legal challenges faced by Afghan nationals overseas.
Earlier in September last year, Mohammad Yusuf Mustari, acting head of prison administration, indicated that between 8,000 and 9,000 Afghan citizens are currently incarcerated outside the country. The release of the 17 inmates marks a significant step in addressing the issue of Afghan citizens detained abroad.
