Afghan taekwondo coach freed after 13 days in custody over ‘improper hijab’

An Afghan female taekwondo coach who was arrested for allegedly not wearing the hijab “properly” has been released after spending 13 days in detention, reports BBC.

The woman, identified as Khadija Ahmadzada, 22, ran a women-only taekwondo gym in the western province of Herat. She was detained by officials of the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Authorities accused her of violating dress codes, playing music at the gym, and allowing men and women to train in the same facility. She was sentenced to 13 days in prison on those charges.

Afghanistan’s Supreme Court later reviewed the case and ordered her release. Khadija was freed on Thursday, though her current whereabouts remain unknown.

The arrest sparked widespread discussion on social media and drew concern from Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, who had called for her immediate release.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have shut down sports centres and gyms for women, citing security concerns. Despite earlier assurances, such facilities remain closed, effectively barring Afghan women from organised sports and physical training.