Many interpreters are in hiding for fear of prosecution because of their work for Dutch or other foreign missions.

Immediately after their takeover, the Taliban adopted a moderate tone. A statement from the Islamic movement spoke of peace, free media and women working and studying. Also to work, or other people who worked for foreign rulers, are not persecuted.

There has been little evidence of that lately. For example, girls and women are not allowed to go to school and corporal punishment and death sentences start again.

traitors

In one of the letters that the NOS has seen and sent early last month to the family of an interpreter who worked for the European Police Mission in Afghanistan, it says he is suspected of having worked as an interpreter for foreigners. He has received “their priceless, forbidden money.”

also states that his family will be prosecuted if he does not show up. “They will be severely punished as a lesson to other traitors.”

Revenge

In another letter, the Taliban write that an interpreter is responsible for the deaths of Taliban fighters. “We’re going to take revenge. If we don’t catch you, we’ll settle with your loved ones and automatically.”

The NOS has quite possible to verify the letters actually come from the Taliban. “Everything points to it,” writes the broadcaster. Letters are also considered genuine at Dutch ministries.

Interpreters cost ministers their heads

The retrieval of Dutch nationals and Afghan interpreters who worked for the Dutch missions went so chaotic two weeks ago, the headline data to ministers Kaag and Bijleveld. The latter, CDA minister Bijlveld, in particular, was held responsible for not bringing those interpreters back quickly enough.

The House of Representatives has been trying to get this group to the Netherlands quickly for months. But Bijleveld did not make enough haste in this last year, despite his insistence, according to a majority of the House. When the airport of Kabul was closed after the takeover by the Taliban, not all interpreters who supported the Dutch were brought to the Netherlands.