Two prominent activists from the Afghan LGBTQ+ community have been arrested by the Taliban, igniting widespread concern for their safety. Maryam Ravish [pictured, right, with partner Parwen Hussaini, from Peter Tatchell Foundation], a 19-year-old lesbian, and Maeve Alcina Pieescu, a 23-year-old trans woman, were taken into custody in Kabul on March 20 while attempting to board a flight to Iran, where they had intended to seek refuge.
The activists were reportedly detained by the Taliban’s intelligence unit, who discovered LGBTQ+ content on their phones during a search. Following the discovery, both women were subjected to physical violence, raising fears for their ongoing safety and wellbeing. Their arrest followed their plans to flee Afghanistan with the assistance of Roshaniya, an Afghan LGBTQ+ network. Maryam’s partner, Parwen Hussaini, who is also an activist, managed to escape and board the flight to Iran ahead of Maryam and Maeve.
Nemat Sadat, CEO of Roshaniya, described the dire circumstances surrounding the arrests, noting that both women are expected to face severe torture in an attempt to extract information about other members of the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan. The potential consequences for both Maryam and Maeve could include long-term imprisonment or even execution.
In a video message sent from Iran, Parwen expressed her desperation, highlighting the threats to her life from both her family and the families of Maryam. “It is possible they would be placed in solitary confinement and stoned to death,” she stated, indicating the gravity of their situation.
Concerns have also been voiced by Maeve’s sister, Susan Battaglia, currently residing in Michigan, USA. Battaglia expressed her anxiety over Maeve’s imprisonment, stating, “My family in Afghanistan is very anxious about Maeve being tortured and killed.” She also shared that during the interrogations, Maeve revealed she does not identify as a Muslim, a declaration that could further endanger her given the harsh penalties associated with apostasy under Taliban rule.
The current episode underscores the brutal reality faced by those part of the LGBTQ+ community in Afghanistan, particularly under the Taliban regime’s stringent interpretation of Sharia law. Nemat Sadat explained that Maryam had previously been forced into a heterosexual marriage, a situation not uncommon for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. “Maryam tried to escape, and Maeve, a trans person, helped her at great personal risk,” Sadat noted. “Now they face the death penalty for simply wanting to be free and happy.”
As the activists remain in Taliban custody, Roshaniya and the Peter Tatchell Foundation are working together to raise awareness of their plight and advocate for their release. Sadat has appealed to global human rights organisations and LGBTQ+ groups to amplify their story and apply pressure on the Taliban for their liberation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://diva-magazine.com/2025/04/01/two-lgbtqia-activists-arrested/ – This article corroborates the arrest of Maryam Ravish and Maeve Alcina Pieescu by the Taliban in Kabul and highlights their desperate situation under Taliban custody. It also mentions the involvement of Roshaniya and the Peter Tatchell Foundation in advocating for their release.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/04/01/two-lgbtq-women-in-grave-danger-after-being-arrested-by-taliban-in-afghanistan/ – This article supports the claim that Maryam Ravish and Maeve Alcina Pieescu are in ‘grave danger’ after being arrested by the Taliban and provides details about their attempted escape and the risks they face due to their sexual orientations.
- https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/taliban-arrest-torture-lgbt-activists/ – This source from the Peter Tatchell Foundation backs up the narrative of the arrest and potential torture of Maryam Ravish and Maeve Alcina Pieescu, emphasizing their involvement in seeking international support for their release.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Afghanistan – Although not directly mentioning the specific case, this might provide context on the broader challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative provides a specific date of the arrests (March 20) and references the current Taliban regime, indicating recent events. However, further verification is needed to determine if the information is entirely new or a recent reiteration.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes from Parwen Hussaini and Susan Battaglia are noted but do not appear to be widely documented online as of yet. They may be original quotes from the narrative or its primary interviews.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative is presented by DNAMAgazine, which is not as well-established as major news outlets like BBC or Reuters. However, it provides specific details about organizations involved, such as Roshaniya and the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which lend some credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The scenario described aligns with the known harsh realities faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals under Taliban rule. The involvement of specific organizations and the context of flight attempts and arrests suggest plausible events.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears recent and plausible, given the current situation in Afghanistan. However, the source’s reliability is less certain compared to mainstream news outlets, and further verification of quotes is needed.
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