RASC News Agency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded that the Taliban investigate and be held accountable for the arbitrary detention and assault of Afghanistani journalist Abdullah Danish. The CPJ also calls on the Taliban to cease their intimidation of media professionals. Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator, stated, “The Taliban must immediately and impartially investigate the arbitrary detention and beating of Abdullah Danish. They must ensure the safety of the media and allow journalists to critically cover issues of public interest without fear of retaliation.”
On June 20, the CPJ cited its sources, reporting that Taliban intelligence forces detained Danish on June 2 while he was traveling from Kabul to the Bagrami district. The CPJ reported that Danish was arrested and interrogated after publishing a report criticizing Taliban education policies and posting on Facebook about the Taliban’s use of schools in Kapisa as military bases.
According to the CPJ, Danish is being held at an undisclosed location and has been severely beaten, sustaining head injuries. Abdullah Danish previously served as a program director at Radio Donya, a reporter and presenter at Mitra Television, and a host at Ma’arif Television.
Despite the CPJ’s request for comment, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has remained silent on the matter.
