Four people arrested during attempted protest in Herat

Local sources reported that at least four protesters were arrested in Herat on 22 June after attempting to stage a demonstration in front of the governor's office. According to these accounts, dozens of people gathered briefly before security forces dispersed the crowd by firing shots into the air. The incident reportedly resulted in no injuries.

Eyewitnesses described the gathering as a small protest that was quickly broken up by police action.

The governor's spokesman contradicted these reports, asserting that no protest gathering took place and that no shots were fired into the air during the day in question.

In a statement addressing separate concerns, Governor Noor Ahmad Islamjar rejected claims that women or girls have been imprisoned in Herat for violations of hijab regulations. He explained that only a limited number of cases involved punishment by family members, after which the individuals were returned to their homes. The governor added that trained female personnel are tasked with managing enforcement related to women.

Women and girls in Herat have spoken of heightened restrictions on dress and movement, creating a climate of intimidation marked by the presence of patrol vehicles and strict measures, despite adherence to Islamic hijab standards.

Human Rights Watch stated that Taliban security forces resorted to excessive force when dealing with recent protests in the city of Herat.