Reporters Without Borders renews call for Mortaza Behboudi’s release from Taliban captivity

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) renewed its call for the immediate release of Afghanistan-born French journalist Mortaza Behboudi, who has been detained by the Taliban for five months.

Accused of spying, 29 year old Behboudi, was detained by the Taliban on January 7, 2023, while on a reporting assignment in Kabul. He has been held incommunicado ever since.

In a tweet on Sunday, RSF called on the Taliban to release Behboudi immediately.

Today, 5 months of detention for journalist Mortaza Behboudi, 5 months too many! RSF reiterates its call to the Taliban authorities to release him immediately. #FreeMortaza pic.twitter.com/dP5ZDQdMpZ

— RSF (@RSF_inter) May 7, 2023

On April 17, Behboudi’s wife, Aleksandra Mostovaja, said she had received a letter from him, in which he had said he missed her.

It has been 100 days since Mortaza Behboudi, a journalist, is imprisoned by Taliban, and that is 100 days too many. I received his letter a couple of days ago. He tells me he misses me and hopes to see me soon. I only have the same one wish; to have my husband back. #freemortaza pic.twitter.com/mTcJ7VpuMM

— Aleksandra Mostovaja (@Aleks_Mostovaja) April 17, 2023

And on April 21, the day before Behboudi’s 29th birthday, Aleksandra Mostovaja said in a tweet in Persian that she was “very concerned” about his health and that “I only have the same one wish; to have my husband back”. 

امروز می توانست ‌یک روز شاد به عنوان عید باشد اما متاسفانه همسرم، مرتضی بهبودی هنوز در بند طالبان است. فردا روز تولد ۲۹ سالگی او است! او این روز را تنها و دور از عزیزانش سپری خواهد کرد. من برای سلامتی و وضعیت او بسیار نگران هستم و با تمام وجود برای دیدن دوباره ش لحظه شماری میکنم. pic.twitter.com/ln1nvXA9h8

— Aleksandra Mostovaja (@Aleks_Mostovaja) April 21, 2023

All calls for Behboudi’s freedom have been ignored by the Taliban.