Afghanistan: Taliban releases nine journalists following crackdown

A member of the Taliban walks in Kabul on August 10, 2023. Credit: Wakil Kohsar / AFP

IFJ, Berlin, 5 September 20233 : Nine journalists in Taliban custody across Afghanistan have been released following a campaign of arrests targeting foreign or exiled media outlets. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Afghan Independent Journalists Union (AIJU), condemn the Taliban’s crackdown on journalists and call for the immediate release of all media workers still in custody.

 

On September 2, Paktia journalist Habibullah Sarab, and Kunar journalist Parviz Sargand were released from Taliban custody, with reports emerging that their detentions were related to allegations of working for exiled media outlets. The pair had been in detention since August 11. The day prior, Zabul journalist and Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU) representative Mehboob Hakimi was also released from prison.

 

On August 31, four media workers, including TOLO News reporter Attaullah Omar, Killid Radio head Faqir Mohammad Faqirzai and reporter Jan Agha Saleh, and Salam Watander reporter Hasib Hassas, were released after being reportedly detained on allegations of working for exiled or foreign news outlets, with all being arrested in the week prior.

 

The releases come following a dramatic increase in Taliban journalist detentions in August. On August 14, Kandahar-based journalist Waheedur Rahman Afghanmal was detained and questioned about his work, before being released on bail the following day. Freelancer Shamsullah Omari was also detained in a separate incident and released on August 24.

 

The wave of arrests coincides with the second anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. The solidification of the new regime has seen a dramatic collapse of the nation’s once-thriving media sector, with journalists facing increasing poverty, detention, harassment, and assault. French journalist Mortaza Behboudi remains imprisoned following his return to Kabul in January 2023, with the IFJ receiving reports that his espionage trial has progressed to court.

 

The AIJU said: “We welcome the release of all the arrested journalists. We once again ask the officials of the Islamic Emirate to follow up on the cases related to the work of the media through the ‘Commission for Investigation of Complaints and Handling of Media Violations."

 

The IFJ said: “This latest crackdown on Afghan media under the Taliban regime has seen the country’s journalists and media workers continue to face increasing incidents of arbitrary arrest, harassment, and attack, despite assurances to the contrary. While the release of nine journalists is a welcome development, the IFJ urges the Taliban to immediately free all media workers still in custody and work to protect the safety and security of all journalists in Afghanistan.”