KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A Taliban court in Ghazni province has sentenced Soliman Rahel, the director of the private Khushhal Radio station, to three months in prison, a media watchdog has reported.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) said on Wednesday that Rahel was accused of “propaganda against the Taliban regime.” The sentence was reportedly handed down after a complaint from the Taliban’s provincial intelligence department.
Rahel was detained on May 5 in Ghazni city. According to local sources cited by the AFJC, the arrest was linked to Facebook posts in which he highlighted rising poverty and social challenges in Afghanistan.
The watchdog condemned the ruling as “non-transparent and unjust,” claiming it was issued under pressure from the Taliban intelligence agency. The center said the case reflects growing efforts by the group to silence critical voices.
The watchdog urged the Taliban to release imprisoned journalists and lift restrictions on the media. It called for respect for freedom of expression and the right of journalists to work without fear of punishment.
Media freedom in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Journalists face increasing threats, censorship, and detention, often due to social media activity or alleged ties to foreign outlets.
A recent AFJC report recorded a 24% rise in media rights violations over the past year, with 181 incidents, including 131 threats and 50 arrests. At least 13 journalists and media workers are currently behind bars, with six serving prison sentences ranging from a few months to three years.
