We are not indifferent to Abdul Rauf's kidnapping. We are monitoring the latest developments in the case. Here are some updates and timeline that journalists may need to cover the case. I will keep updating.
31 Oct 2020 - Abdul Rauf, a 9-year old child, kidnapped at 6:30 am on his way to school in the northern Balkh province of Afghanistan
31 Oct 2020 - Family seeks recourse from the Provincial Council and Security Directorate
3 Nov 2020 - Abdul Rauf's family receives the first message from kidnappers, demanding $1.5 million for his release
3 – 18 Nov 2020 - Abdul’s family receives constant threatening messages and their child’s video pleading for his release
20 Nov 2020 Kidnappers throw two hand grenades at the residence of Abdul’s family’s
22 Nov 2020 - The kidnapping case is shared with media, and media outlets cover it in Afghanistan
29 Nov 2020- Protests are staged in Afghanistan over the authorities' inaction on Abdul’s rescue (protesters erect a tent in front of Balkh governor's office) tent is still in place.
6 Dec 2020 – Petition to the Afghan government including president Ghani launched http://chng.it/GPMkRZrJds
7 Dec 2020 – Instagram: @SaveAbdulRauf is launched
8 Dec 2020 - Abdul Rauf's family receives the latest message from the kidnappers, containing "$1.5 million is not enough for Abdul Rauf's release, you should increase ransom" not defining a specific amount.
11 Dec 2020 – Protesters deliver an open letter to the Afghan Embassy in Washington D.C. for President Ghani
12 Dec 2020 – A Women’s March in Mazar-e-Sharif gathers hundreds of people and resistance from the authorities
12 Dec 2020 – President Ghani dispatches General Abdul Saboor Qane, the senior deputy of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, the Deputy General of National Security and his technical team to Balkh province to investigate the security situation of Balkh and to deal with the kidnapping of the nine-year-old child.
15 Dec 2020 - The police comment that they have launched 12 to 13 operations to recover this child in various parts of Mazar-e-Sharif. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
- As of 16 December, there is no sign of Abdul Rauf.
- Abdul Rauf's family has received 11 messages in total so far
- Protests are staged in 7 provinces of Afghanistan, including Balkh, Jowzjan, Faryab, Kunduz, Kabul, Herat and Badghis
- It has been 49 days since Abdul Rauf is kidnapped
Best,
Aybolek and Zaher Dowran
16 December 2020