The Afghan-based International Assistance Mission (IAM) said that Taliban authorities had twice raided its office this month and taken away the staff including a foreign national, however, it did not reveal the identity of the foreigner.

“Following the detention of three staff members – two Afghan nationals and one international team member – working at IAM’s office in Ghor province on Sunday, 3 September 2023, a further 15 Afghan national staff members were taken from the same office on Wednesday, 13 September. We understand that all 18 people have now been transferred to Kabul,” the organisation said in a statement.

The group went on to add that the authorities have transferred the detainees to Kabul.

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“At this time, we have no information about the nature of allegations against our staff and are, therefore, unable or to comment or speculate about this ongoing situation. However, should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented,” it stated.

Several women, including an American, were among the detainees, Afghan media quoted provincial government spokesman Abdul Wahid Hamas as saying.

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They were taken into custody on charges of “propagating and promoting Christianity” in Afghanistan, he added.

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Since seizing power from the Afghan government in Kabul two years ago, the Taliban have barred teenage girls from schools beyond the sixth grade nationwide and ordered most female government employees to stay home.

The Taliban have also banned women from working for aid organisations in Afghanistan. Women are not allowed to visit public parks, gyms or bathhouses, and a close male relative must accompany them for long road trips.