RASC News Agency: The Afghanistan Journalists Center has announced that recently, Habibullah Taseer, a reporter for “Radio Azadi,” was detained and imprisoned by Taliban intelligence forces. According to a statement released by the institution on Wednesday, April 17th, citing local sources, Taliban intelligence detained Mr. Taseer in Ghazni 12 days ago but transferred him to prison three days prior to the detention center.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center stated in its release that the case of this journalist would be forwarded to the Taliban’s court in Ghazni city. Citing a local source, the Afghanistan Journalists Center said, “Taseer was detained on charges of compiling some local reports for Radio Azadi, and his mobile intelligence has also been confiscated, with its contents examined without the reporter’s consent.”
The Afghanistan Journalists Center expressed concern over the detention of this journalist and urged the Taliban to release him immediately and unconditionally. “Radio Azadi” has not commented on the detention of this journalist yet.
In the month of November 2022, the frequencies of Radio Free and Voice of America in Afghanistan were cut off by the Taliban on charges of anti-Taliban propaganda, and two months later, the websites of these two media outlets were also closed.
After seizing control of the country, the Taliban have repeatedly detained journalists and halted media activities, with their latest action being the suspension of broadcasts by the private television channels “Noor” and “Barya” until a court ruling is issued, and their offices have been closed.