RASC News Agency: After an arduous nine-month period, Murtaza Behbodi, a French-Afghanistani journalist, has finally been released from Taliban custody, marking the culmination of his tireless efforts. Reporters Without Borders issued a statement on the evening of October 18, announcing his liberation from Pul charkhi prison in Kabul, following a ruling by a Taliban court.
The Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders expressed the organization’s unwavering commitment to facilitating Murtaza’s long-awaited reunion with his family in Paris in the coming days.
Alexandra Mastavaja, the wife of Murtaza Behbodi, has expressed profound relief, emphasizing that his release has reignited a sense of hope and optimism in her life. She perceives this significant development as the commencement of a fresh chapter, brimming with renewed possibilities and opportunities.
It is imperative to acknowledge that Murtaza Behbodi was arbitrarily detained by the Taliban group on espionage charges in Kabul nine months ago. This arrest has elicited widespread domestic and international reactions. It is noteworthy that subjecting anyone to arbitrary detention and depriving loved ones of information about their well-being should never be tolerated.
Furthermore, it bears emphasizing that journalism is not a criminal act, as unequivocally stated in the aforementioned press release. It is worth mentioning that throughout their two-year reign in Afghanistan, the Taliban imposed numerous restrictions on the media and journalists, and, in certain instances, resorted to apprehending journalists.
In the meantime, it has been reported that two journalists have been freed from Taliban imprisonment. However, there remains a significant number of journalists, human rights activists, women’s rights activists, and former government soldiers still held in Taliban prisons, who urgently need to be released without further delay.
