RASC News Agency: According to local sources in Ghazni, the Taliban has sentenced Hikmat Arian, the head of “Khushhal Radio,” to a one-month prison term. The verdict was handed down by the Taliban’s primary court in the province on Monday, October 14. Taliban intelligence in Ghazni, however, has requested an extension of Arian’s prison sentence. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Journalists Center has condemned his detention, demanding his unconditional release, though the Taliban has yet to issue any statement regarding the matter.
Arian was reportedly arrested around ten days ago by the Taliban’s intelligence unit for recording and broadcasting a novel in his own voice. This recent imprisonment follows the Taliban’s sentencing of two other journalists to ten years in prison each. Journalist protection organizations have consistently raised alarms over the arrest and torture of journalists by the Taliban. Since taking power, the Taliban has arrested numerous journalists on various charges, often subjecting them to torture and lengthy imprisonment. These detentions are typically arbitrary, with little to no accountability to human rights bodies.
In addition to imprisoning journalists, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on media outlets. They have introduced broadcasting regulations aligned with their own ideological stance, effectively banning the publication of any content that contradicts their views or policies.
