RASC News Agency: The Afghanistan Journalists’ Center (AFJC) issued a statement, urging the Taliban to unconditionally release Rohullah Sangar, a local journalist in Parwan province. In a release on Monday night, December 18th, the AFJC asserted that the Taliban’s intelligence forces had arrested Sangar without valid justification. The organization demanded his immediate and unconditional release from Taliban custody.
Expressing profound concern about Rohullah Sangar’s arrest and the lack of information about his well-being, the AFJC called on the Taliban to promptly release him without imposing any conditions. They stressed that any grievances against journalists should be addressed within the legal framework and through the Media Complaints and Violations Commission. The AFJC underscored that arbitrary arrests of journalists should not be carried out by the Taliban.
Notably, the organization dedicated to journalist protection highlighted the recent detentions of Abdul Rahim Mohammadi, a reporter for Tamadon TV in Kandahar, and Sultan Ali Jawadi, the director of private radio Nasim in Daykundi. These arrests were attributed to the Taliban, with emphasis on the group’s increasing targeting of journalists in Afghanistan.
However, on Sunday, December 17th, the Taliban’s intelligence forces apprehended Rohullah Sangar, along with several other local reporters from TOLO News, in Parwan province. Local Taliban officials in Parwan confirmed Sangar’s arrest, though no explanation was provided for the detention.
This situation is particularly concerning, given the stringent restrictions the Taliban has imposed on media activities and journalists’ work since assuming control of the country. Consequently, numerous journalists have resigned, and several media outlets have been compelled to cease their operations.
