Afghan Activist Shares Ordeal After Establishing Free School for Girls

Basir Arian, an Afghan engineer and civil society participant, has shared his account of detention and torture by Taliban authorities following the establishment of an online English program for girls after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

Detention and Abuse

In May 2022, while visiting Herat to renew his visa, Arian received a phone call directing him to report to the intelligence directorate. Upon arrival, officials played a WhatsApp voice message of him encouraging students and accused him of opposing the regime. According to Arian, he was blindfolded, taken to a basement, and struck with a rifle butt and kicked, resulting in a broken nose and jaw, alongside a fractured finger. He was subsequently forced to sign a statement of apology before his release.

Journey to the UK and Asylum

Following the incident, Arian completed his master's degree in Iran and later secured a Chevening scholarship to study international development at the University of Sussex, arriving in the UK in September 2024. Following the conclusion of his studies and subsequent media appearances discussing the situation in Afghanistan, he determined that returning home posed severe risks and applied for asylum. After experiencing a period of homelessness and temporary hotel accommodation, he was granted refugee status in late 2025 and has since secured employment as a civil engineer.

Verification and Support

Readers seeking to verify details regarding international scholarship programs or refugee support frameworks can consult official UK government portals such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office regarding Chevening scholarships or the Home Office guidelines on asylum applications. Organizations supporting displaced individuals provide independent verification of the challenges refugees face upon arrival.