Three Afghan journalists have been detained by Afghan intelligence officials in Kabul, according to media support groups, raising fresh concerns about press freedom in Afghanistan.
The detained journalists have been identified as Mansoor Niazi and Imran Danish of TOLOnews, and Jawid Niazi of Paigard News Agency.
Media support groups said the journalists were taken into custody by Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence in Kabul. The reasons for their detention have not been publicly disclosed.
TOLOnews confirmed that two of its journalists, Imran Danish and Mansoor Niazi, had been detained in Kabul. The broadcaster said Afghan officials told its newsroom that further details would be shared following the completion of relevant legal procedures.
AnewZ contacted Afghan officials in Kabul for comment on the recent arrests. It had not received a response at the time of publication.
Amnesty International said it was deeply concerned by reports of the arrests and the disappearance of the three journalists.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by media reports regarding the arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance of three Afghan journalists.”
The rights group said the case appeared to form part of ongoing pressure on journalists and media workers in Afghanistan.
“These actions appear to be part of a broader and continuing pattern of intimidation and reprisals against journalists and media workers in Afghanistan.”
Amnesty International added: “The Taliban de facto authorities must immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of Mansoor Niazi, Imran Danish and Jawid Niazi.”
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) also condemned what it described as a recent wave of arrests and threats against journalists in Afghanistan.
AFJC said at least three journalists had been detained by the de facto General Directorate of Intelligence in Kabul and that their whereabouts remained unknown.
The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists detained for their work.
“Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of harassment, intimidation or detention.”
AFJC added that, according to its Press Freedom Tracker, at least seven journalists are currently known to be in detention or serving sentences.
Israel said it struck military targets in western and central Iran on Monday, even after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Min...
Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party is leading in a parliamentary election with 54.44% of the vote, according to early voting results from Armenia's...
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for...
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million peop...
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S...
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births.
Afghan and Uzbek business officials have discussed ways to expand trade, ease transit bottlenecks and address customs challenges facing traders, according to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI).
Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics has urged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to expand support for legal livelihoods for farmers, saying such assistance is vital to preventing narcotics production and trafficking.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births.
In a workshop surrounded by the wreckage of war, workers in Gaza are giving a second life to small leisure boats once used for family outings and swimming trips.
A seven-month-old Palestinian baby has been killed and his parents injured after Israeli forces fired at a vehicle in Hebron, Palestinian health officials say.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment