Afghan Citizen in Sweden Investigated Over Alleged Support for Taliban

Swedish media have reported that Ahmad Khan Andar, an Afghan citizen living in Sweden, is under investigation for publicly expressing support for the Taliban in media appearances. According to the reports, Andar had been living in Malmö and was working at a public school in the city as a Pashto mother-tongue teacher for migrant children. The Malmö municipal administration has launched an investigation into the matter and has temporarily suspended him from his position pending the outcome of the inquiry. Reports indicate that Andar had previously criticized the introduction of Western democracy in Afghanistan, stating that the country had been “liberated.” Sara Wettergren, head of school affairs at the Malmö City Council, said that if such views were conveyed to students, it would be completely “unacceptable.” According to Swedish media, the teacher had been teaching children at several primary schools in Malmö. During his free time, he reportedly appeared on some Afghan media outlets where he voiced support for the Taliban. In one television interview in January 2026, he reportedly stated that previous Afghan governments during the democratic period had made a mistake by encouraging women to attend school. He is also said to have defended the Taliban’s decision to shut down some media outlets, arguing that media in Afghanistan should align with religion, culture, and the conditions of society.