12punto reports, authorities take action: Cansu Badur, held captive in Afghanistan, had asked for help on social media

Report: Sinem Nazlı Demir

31-year-old Turkish citizen Cansu Ndori, formerly known as Cansu Badur, issued a plea for help in a video she filmed from the house where she is being forcibly held and subjected to violence in Afghanistan. These images, which spread rapidly on social media, brought visibility to Cansu's situation and sparked widespread reaction in Turkey.

Following this appeal, 12punto reached out to Cansu and her family in Turkey and began following the process directly.

After the initial contact with the family, details regarding the violence Cansu has been subjected to in Afghanistan were brought to the public's attention.

“THE TALIBAN DID NOT ALLOW CANSU TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN”

Cansu's brother, Alican Badur, described his sister's journey to Afghanistan and her current life-threatening situation with the following words:

“My father passed away in 2022 and left my sister an inheritance of 80,000 TL. At that time, Cansu was working at a textile workshop in Sultangazi, where she met Afghan citizen Abdul Varsi Ndori. They began communicating, and Abdul borrowed this money but did not pay it back. Following an argument that occurred later, the police determined that Abdul was an illegal immigrant, and he was deported to Afghanistan in 2022. This time, Abdul called Cansu to Afghanistan, saying he would return her money. Cansu went to Kabul, but she was deceived there with the promise of marriage. She was forcibly married under the pressure and violence of his family. Cansu has been in Afghanistan for about a year and has been unable to return. About 5 weeks ago, she managed to escape the house and took refuge at the Republic of Turkey's Embassy in Kabul with her face and eyes swollen. The authorities initiated the procedures and placed her in a hotel. The family bought a plane ticket for March 4, but she could not make this flight because the procedures were not completed. Later, a new ticket was purchased for March 6. Cansu went to the airport, but Taliban officials did not allow her to leave the country, saying, 'you have an exit ban, your husband has filed a complaint against you,' and handed Cansu back to Abdul. We demand that the authorities bring my sister to Turkey as soon as possible. My sister is with someone who is not mentally stable, and her life is in danger.”

AUTHORITIES TAKE ACTION

Following 12punto's report, CHP Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal shared Cansu's ordeal on his own social media account.

Tanal also established the necessary contacts and communicated with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, who provided feedback stating that they would follow the process.

However, as no official statement has been made by the ministry yet, the family is waiting for a concrete step to be taken.

EMBASSY CALLED CANSU'S FAMILY 

After a while, officials from the Republic of Turkey's Embassy in Kabul called Cansu's brother, Alican Badur, and stated that, as the authorized institution, they had held talks with the Afghan Ministry of Interior regarding Cansu.

Embassy officials said they were following the process but noted that, despite everything, there is a possibility that Cansu may not be able to leave Afghanistan.

The family is demanding that officials from the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs make a public statement on the matter and officially initiate the process to bring Cansu back to Turkey.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS LEGITIMIZED BY LAW IN AFGHANISTAN

The new penal code adopted by the Taliban in Afghanistan in February of this year contains provisions that could have serious consequences for women, particularly regarding domestic violence:

— Impunity for violence: Physical violence is not considered a crime unless it results in broken bones or open wounds.

— Ban on education: Exclusion of girls from all levels of education.

— Restriction of freedom of movement: Inability to travel without a male companion

— Legalization of domestic control: Punishment of women for establishing social relationships without permission

— Expansion of social surveillance: Granting individuals the authority to intervene and punish based on "moral" grounds

— Continuation of physical punishments: The continued application of punishments such as flogging, including against women.