Under the title "Terrifying Night Messages on Doorsteps... Taliban Renounces Amnesty," Sky News reported that the Taliban appears to be behaving on the ground in a manner that contradicts the conciliatory rhetoric that its spokespersons repeat in the media and on social networks. The Taliban had previously announced a general amnesty for those who served in the previous Afghan government.
In the first press conference held in Kabul after seizing control in mid-August, the group's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, announced the amnesty, which included "the enemies of the movement," including those who worked with Western forces before their withdrawal. However, the situation on the ground is entirely different. The British newspaper "Daily Mail" revealed that the militant group has attached "chilling night messages" to the doorsteps of those who worked with Western forces.
These messages order the homeowners to appear before a court held by the Taliban, and failure to attend could lead to a death penalty. Among those affected is an Afghan man named "Naz," aged 34, and a father of six children. His company assisted the British military in constructing roads in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan and a runway at Camp Bastion airport in the province. Naz had applied for refuge in Britain under the Afghan resettlement program, but his application was denied.
The Afghan man stated, "The message was official and stamped by the Taliban. It is a clear message that they want to kill me. If I go to court, I will lose my life." He continued, "If I don’t go, they will kill me, so I am hiding. I am trying to find a way to escape, but I need help." Another person, a translator who worked with the British military, received a message that said, "Surrender or face execution."
