Statement by the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile
The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile expresses deep concern over the arrest of seven journalists and media activists by the Taliban Intelligence Directorate and employees of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Kabul and one of the provinces.
The Federation calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees and urges all organizations that support freedom of expression to exert pressure on the Taliban to halt their violent actions against media workers.
According to information received by the Federation, on July 22 (Asad 2), the Taliban Intelligence Directorate arrested one journalist and two media activists in Kabul on charges of organizing an educational program for girls. A day earlier, another individual was arrested in the Karte-3 area for allegedly supporting news websites based outside the country.
Additionally, in the month of July (Saratan), the Taliban arrested a local journalist in one of the provinces for producing reports “not approved by the ruling authorities.” The journalist was released after two days upon providing a guarantee.
A journalist protection organization in Kabul has withheld the identities of five journalists and media activists, stating that on July 14 (Saratan 24), officials from the Intelligence Directorate and the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue stormed the office of “Pixel” media company in Kabul and arrested its director, Navid Ahmad Asghari, and his deputy, Mushtaq Ahmad Halimi.
On July 25 (Asad 4), the “Daricha” publication, affiliated with the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, released a video showing the confession of Navid Asghari.
In the video, in addition to his confession, the detainees are accused of promoting Western culture and allegedly collaborating with foreign media through dubbing TV series.
The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile considers these arrests a blatant violation of freedom of expression and warns that such actions by the Taliban can have a detrimental impact on the media landscape in Afghanistan.
