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Eight Suspects Arrested Over Afghan Schoolgirls' Poisoning

June 05, 2012

by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan

A security official in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar Province says eight suspects have been arrested over alleged links to the recent poisoning of schoolgirls.

The official told RFE/RL on June 5 that preliminary investigations pointed to the detained suspects having links with Taliban fighters and the militant Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

Health officials in Takhar have said some 800 schoolgirls recently fell ill after allegedly inhaling poisonous gas that was released at six schools in the region.

The Taliban has denied any involvement in attacks on schools and demanded punishment for those responsible for the gas attacks.

In 1996-2001, when it held power over most of Afghanistan, the Taliban barred girls from attending schools, deeming female school attendance un-Islamic.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/suspects-arrested-over-afghan-schoolgirls-poisoning/24604409.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.