Afghanistan Authorities Dismiss Over 280 Beardless Security Staff

The controversial Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue in Afghanistan has dismissed more than 280 security personnel for not growing beards. At the same time, over 13,000 individuals have been arrested under accusations of "immoral offenses" in the past year.

According to a report by Reuters, the ministry noted in its annual operational report that nearly half of those arrested have been released within 24 hours. However, the report did not specify the types of alleged offenses or the genders of the detainees.

Mohibullah Mohlis, the director of the ministry’s planning and legislation department, announced at a press conference that last year officials destroyed 21,328 musical instruments and impeded thousands of computer operators from selling "immoral and indecent" films in the markets.