reader Posted October 10, 2021 Posted October 10, 2021 From CNN By Faith Karimi, CNN (CNN)His messages are a mix of uncertainty and terror -- with glimmers of hope. He is gay, a convert to Christianity and a member of the Hazara ethnic minority -- three groups that have been historically persecuted by the Taliban. The 32-year-old man went into hiding after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August, cutting off communication with family back home and holing up in a Kabul basement with his younger brother. They spent their days reading and praying and venturing outside only for food. With phones their sole connection to the outside world, he and his brother sent messages. Lots of messages. To activists and human rights organizations. To friends of friends who knew anyone who could help. Their biggest fear: meeting a deadly fate at the hands of the Taliban, as their father did years ago. "They will behead us or kill us in the most brutal way," the older brother told CNN. "They are masters in that." CNN verified the man's identity through human rights activists and has been messaging with him via WhatsApp since August. To protect his safety, CNN is identifying him only as Ahmed -- not his real name. In a series of recent WhatsApp messages, Ahmed chronicled his life in the shadows in Kabul, his deep-rooted fear of the Taliban and his scramble to flee a country he's called home all his life. Days in the basement turned into weeks filled with dread and isolation. At times Ahmed felt so hopeless he contemplated suicide. Then, late last month, came word of a possible escape route. Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/10/world/afghanistan-gay-man-whatsapp-messages-cec/index.html Quote
