Ten people were arrested in five provinces on charges of engaging in witchcraft

Officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice and Hearing the Complaints of IEA, have identified and arrested 10 individuals in the provinces of Baghlan, Parwan, Ghazni, Takhar, and Balkh on charges of practicing witchcraft, as part of efforts to prevent witchcraft and combat the activities of sorcerers.

Officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue in the aforementioned provinces said that the individuals were arrested following investigations into complaints from local residents and monitoring efforts by ministry personnel.

After preliminary investigations, their cases were referred to the relevant judicial and legal authorities in the respective provinces for further investigation and review.

Ministry officials (Muhtasibs) added that documents and objects allegedly associated with magical practices, which were seized from the arrested individuals, indicate that they were involved in creating disputes and divisions among families, couples, and some members of society.

They also reportedly received substantial amounts of money from people in exchange for carrying out such practices.

Officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice and Hearing of Complaints emphasized that practicing witchcraft, visiting individuals who claim to be sorcerers, and seeking knowledge of the unseen are considered wrong and prohibited under Islamic teachings, and that Muslims have been prohibited from engaging in such practices.

The ministry officials (Muhtasibs) urged citizens to refrain from consulting sorcerers and individuals who claim to have knowledge of the unseen.

They advised people facing personal, family, or social problems to seek solutions through legitimate, Sharia-compliant, and legal means.

Officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue also stressed the need to increase the religious and social awareness of the public.

They said that preventing the spread of superstitions and practices contrary to Islamic values requires cooperation between the public, responsible institutions, and the ministry's morality officials.