The Taliban say they will not allow Afghans to leave the country and reject the extension of the evacuation date

(CNN) – The Taliban are not in favor of allowing Afghans to leave Afghanistan, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said Tuesday during a press conference when asked about the August 31 deadline.

“We are not going to allow the Afghans to leave, and we are not even happy about it,” Mujahid said.

Mujahid said that the Taliban will not accept an extension of the evacuation deadline, and stated that “my message to the Americans is to remove all of your citizens before the 31st.”

“I must remind you that staying beyond August 31 is going to be a unilateral decision by the Americans and against the agreement,” Mujahid said.

“They must evacuate all their forces, all their contractors before that date,” he added.

Asked whether it is true that the Taliban are conducting selective searches of houses in the provinces, Mujahid said: “I can tell you with confidence, I can assure you that no one is going to be persecuted or investigated anywhere in the country. [como] in the past”.

“I would like to assure all my compatriots, men and women, that no one will be prosecuted, no one will be persecuted because there has been a general amnesty. We have forgotten everything, we will not hold anyone responsible for the past. For peace , security and prosperity, we are not going to do it. “