RASC News Agency: In a continued crackdown on journalists and civil activists, local sources report that the Taliban’s intelligence service has detained Mohammad Ibrahim Mohtaj, a reporter for the local radio station “Mellat Ghag.” Mohtaj’s family and close associates have expressed concern, stating that they have no information about his whereabouts or condition. The reasons for his arrest remain unclear.
According to sources, Mohtaj was detained four days ago. The Taliban have yet to provide any comment on the matter. A close friend of Mohtaj, who requested anonymity, stated, “Mohtaj has been missing for four days. We inquired with the Taliban’s police and intelligence, but they provided no information.” Mohtaj is known for hosting social and historical programs on “Mellat Ghag” radio and has conducted several interviews with local Taliban officials. He hosted these interviews in Pashto.
This incident follows the recent arrest of independent journalist Mohammadyar Majrooh by the Taliban’s intelligence service in Kandahar about 11 days ago. Majrooh’s whereabouts and condition are also unknown. Local sources indicate that nearly all journalists and media personnel, including those active on social media, are under severe pressure and threat from the Taliban in Kandahar. They report that no journalist can publish or broadcast anything without the Taliban’s permission.
Notably, the repression of the media and the arrest of journalists have significantly increased during the three years of Taliban rule. The Center for Journalists reported 89 violations of journalists’ rights, including 60 cases of threats and 29 cases of arrests. The Taliban have been hostile towards media and journalists, attempting to either silence them or coerce them into becoming their propagandists. To date, several YouTubers in Kabul are reportedly supported by the Taliban, portraying the situation in Afghanistan in a manner favorable to the group.
