Khadija Ahmadzada, a 22-year-old Afghan woman, has been released after 13 days in jail. A spokesperson for the Taliban's supreme court confirmed her release.
She was reportedly detained for operating a taekwondo gym for girls. A spokesperson for the Taliban's ministry of vice and virtue stated that her arrest was due to a "violation" of rules concerning women's sports gyms.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, sports clubs have been closed to women. Authorities had previously indicated that clubs would reopen once a "safe environment" aligned with their interpretation of Islamic law was established. As of January 2026, no women's sports clubs have reopened, and women are prohibited from competing.
This incident is part of broader restrictions implemented by the Taliban on women since 2021, which include curtailing rights to education and work, and enforcing strict clothing regulations.