The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported on Thursday that the Taliban had released three journalists after three weeks of captivity.
In a Persian statement, the AFJC stated that the journalists, Haseeb Hassas of Radio Salam Watandar, Attaullah Omar of TOLOnews, and Mahbobullah Hakimi, a freelance reporter, were released on Thursday.
The AFJC said that a total of five journalists had been released from Taliban custody on Thursday. Earlier, the AFJC reported that Faqir Mohammad Faqirzai and Janagha Saleh, journalists of Kilid Radio Station in Nangarhar, had also been released.
According to the AFJC, the journalists were released after providing guarantees and complying with the Taliban’s order not to work with “banned media outlets.”
The AFJC has stated that the Taliban has unofficially banned cooperation with some newly established media outlets operating outside Afghanistan.
The Taliban have not yet commented on the number of journalists released or the conditions of their release.
However, the AFJC has urged the immediate and unconditional release of at least five other journalists and media workers who are also in Taliban prison.
The Taliban has conducted a continuous campaign of crackdowns on media outlets and journalists since returning to power in August 2021. AFJC has documented at least 319 cases of violence against journalists and media, including 160 arrests.
Afghanistan-born French journalist Mortaza Behboudi has been in Taliban detention since January 7, 2023. Despite international calls, the group has refused to provide details about his whereabouts or indicate whether he will be freed.
