Taliban Beheads Member Of Afghan Women’s Volleyball Team

A player of the Afghan women's national volleyball team who played in the youth age group, was reportedly beheaded by the Taliban in Kabul.

The athlete, identified as Mahjabin Hakimi, played for the Kabul Municipality Volleyball Club before the collapse of the previous Afghan government and was one of the club's most successful players.

As per reports, the incident occurred in early October. The issue remained hidden because her family had been threatened not to talk to anyone about it.

In an interview with the Persian Independent, Suraya Afzali, one of the coaches of the Afghan women's national volleyball team, confirmed that the athlete had been killed, but said that no one other than Mahjabin's family knew the exact time and manner of the incident.

Afzali warned that many female athletes especially members of the Afghan women's volleyball team who have competed in foreign and domestic competitions and appeared in media programmes, are under serious threat.

"All the players of the volleyball team and the rest of the women athletes are in a bad situation and in despair and fear," Afzali said.

"Everyone has been forced to flee and live in unknown places. Efforts to gain the support of foreign organisations and countries to leave Afghanistan have so far been unsuccessful," she added.