The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AJC) has said that at least 213 cases of violence, threats, and arrests of journalists have been recorded in Afghanistan over the past 12 months, indicating a 64% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Ahead of the World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, AJC has expressed grave concerns about the state of press freedom under the Taliban and the continuous threats of violence against journalist.
AJC said that over the past 12 months, violence against journalists has resulted in the death of Hussain Naderi, an Afghan Voice News reporter, with 21 journalists wounded.
AJC further added that it had recorded 115 incidents of threats against journalists and 70 cases of detentions, with the Afghanistan born French journalist, Mortaza Behboudi, still in captivity.
Behboudi was detained by Taliban Intelligence agents in Kabul on 7 January. Despite international calls, the group has refused to let him free.
