‘Trailblazing’ former feminine Afghan MP shot lifeless in her residence

A former feminine member of parliament in Afghanistan has been killed alongside together with her bodyguard by unknown assailants in an assault on her residence.

Mursal Nabizada, one of many handful of feminine parliamentarians in Afghanistan earlier than the Taliban took over the country in August 2021, was discovered lifeless at her residence in Kabul, native police mentioned.

Whereas most feminine politicians and social staff fled the nation after the autumn of Kabul to the militant group, Nabizada, 32, was one of many few who selected to remain.

Kabul police chief Molvi Hamidullah Khalid mentioned on Sunday that Nabizada and her guard had been shot in the identical room at about 3am on Saturday and a “critical investigation” has been initiated.

He mentioned her brother and a second safety guard had been injured. A 3rd safety guard fled the scene with cash and jewelry.

“Nabizada, together with certainly one of her bodyguards, was shot lifeless at her home,” Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran mentioned.

“The safety forces have began a critical investigation into the incident,” he mentioned.

Nabizada died on the primary ground of her residence, which she used as her workplace.

Mr Khalid mentioned investigations had been underway, nevertheless, nothing was mentioned concerning the attainable motives behind her assassination.

Her demise comes amid an intense clampdown on women’s rights within the nation because the Taliban bans women from training and employment alternatives.

That is the primary time an MP from the earlier administration has been killed within the metropolis for the reason that takeover.

A former colleague of Nabizada in Afghanistan’s parliament, Mariam Solaimankhil wrote in a tribute on Twitter that she was “a real trailblazer – a powerful, outspoken lady who stood for what she believed in, even within the face of hazard”.

“Regardless of being supplied the prospect to go away Afghanistan, she selected to remain and combat for her folks. We have now misplaced a diamond, however her legacy will stay on. Relaxation in peace.”

Abdullah Abdullah, a high official in Afghanistan’s former Western-backed authorities, mentioned he was saddened by Nabizada’s demise and hoped the perpetrators could be punished.

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He described Nabizada as a “consultant and servant of the folks”.

Hannah Neumann, a member of the European Parliament, mentioned: “I’m unhappy and indignant and need the world to know!” in response to the killing.

“She was killed in darkness, however the Taliban construct their system of gender apartheid in full daylight.”

“She stayed in Afghanistan. She didn’t go away after the Taliban took over the nation,” Sara Wahedi, an activist, wrote. “Afghanistan is hell on earth for ladies.”

Nabizada was elected as a member of parliament from Kabul in 2018 and stayed in energy till the Taliban takeover. Born within the japanese province of Nangarhar, Nabizada served on the parliamentary defence fee and labored at a personal nongovernmental group, the Institute for Human Assets Improvement and Analysis.