RASC News Agency: The Afghanistan Journalists’ Center has urgently called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sayed Rahim Saeedi, a journalist, filmmaker, and television program producer. The organization claims that Saeedi was arbitrarily detained by the Taliban. They have also urged the Taliban to halt the arrest, intimidation, and harassment of journalists and media workers.
Sources in Kabul report that Saeedi, the manager and producer at the YouTube channel “Nam,” was detained last Sunday along with two colleagues and two other individuals in the Khushal Khan area. According to these sources, the Taliban’s intelligence service in Kabul released the four detainees the following day, but Saeedi remains in Taliban custody, with no information available regarding his condition.
The Taliban has yet to provide any explanation for Saeedi’s arrest. Saeedi’s associates have noted that he is a cultural activist with no political involvement. According to the Afghanistan Journalists’ Center, Saeedi has over two decades of experience in media, film, and cinema. Since 2005, he has collaborated with the private media outlet Ariana and took charge of the YouTube channel “Anar” about five months ago.
This YouTube channel, financially backed by an investor, produces and broadcasts travel programs showcasing Afghanistan’s scenic spots, especially Kabul, along with various cultural and religious content. The Afghanistan Journalists’ Center has reported that at least 29 journalists and media workers have been detained by the Taliban’s intelligence service or the Department for the Propagation of Virtue in the first half of this year.
Since their takeover, the Taliban have arbitrarily detained and tortured numerous journalists and cultural activists on various charges.
