RASC News Agency: The Afghanistan Journalists Center has reported that the Taliban released seven employees of Arezo, a private television network, after their detention by Taliban intelligence two weeks ago. The release was conditional, requiring written guarantees from the employees to remain in Kabul and attend a forthcoming trial. The arrests were reportedly made based on various accusations. While welcoming the release, the Afghanistan Journalists Center emphasized that Arezo TV’s Kabul office remains closed, and operations have yet to resume. The organization urged the Taliban to “dismiss all charges and permit Arezo TV to resume operations unconditionally.”
According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center, “The Kabul Zone 3 Urban Court ordered the release of all seven detained Arezo TV employees on December 20. The employees were freed from Pul-e-Charkhi Prison after providing written guarantees not to leave Kabul and to appear at their trial, which is scheduled to take place next week.” The detained individuals include Amanullah Azimi, Kabul Office Manager; Khalid Barakzai, Presenter; Amir Hussain Atryan, Producer and Administrative Manager; Zaheer Faizi, Production Manager; and production team members Sami Ahmad Baik, Haroon Irfan, and Baktash Roufi. Initially held at an intelligence detention facility, they were later transferred to Pul-e-Charkhi Prison.
These arrests occurred during a raid by Taliban intelligence officials and the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on Arezo TV’s office in Karte 3, Kabul. During the operation, electronic storage devices and computers were confiscated, and the office was forcibly shut down. In the aftermath, Arezo TV reported that approximately 60% of its programming had been disrupted due to the closure of its Kabul office. Despite these challenges, the network continues limited operations through its office and studio in Mazar-e-Sharif.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center denounced the actions as a “blatant violation of fundamental rights” and called on the Taliban to respect press freedom. The organization further demanded that Arezo TV be allowed to “resume its activities without conditions.”
