The two Afghan journalists who worked for a local television network were released today after being arrested by the Taliban in Kabul, a station official said.
The two Ariana TV journalists were “released after being acquitted”, said the network’s news director Ali Asgari, without giving further information “for security reasons”.
Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab, two Ariana TV journalists, were arrested by the Taliban on Monday and “taken to an unknown location,” the newly formed Afghan Media Association, a pro-government human rights group, said in a statement.
A Taliban spokesman said he had no information about the disappearances.
Without referring to the Taliban, an Ariana official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the two men had been arrested by gunmen who had covered their faces in front of the network’s offices as they went out to eat.
The Taliban had pledged to “investigate” the case, he added.
“Amnesty International has condemned the” unjustified “arrest of the two journalists.” The Taliban must release them immediately and unconditionally, “the group wrote on Twitter.
A similar response was made by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which took to Twitter to “strongly urge the Taliban to publicly explain why they are holding ArianaNews reporters.”
Since regaining power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have suppressed any voice of resistance, arresting dissidents and forcibly dispersing anti-regime protests. Many Afghan journalists have been beaten while covering the protests.
In January, two feminists were abducted from their home in Kabul after participating in a demonstration, according to several activists. The Taliban have denied any involvement in the case.
A prominent Afghan university critic of the Taliban was arrested and detained for several days in January. He was eventually released following pressure from international public opinion.
The Taliban claim that they have changed from their previous regime (1996-2001), when they banned any voice of dissent and violated human rights, especially of women.
But they have already restricted women’s freedoms, imposing restrictions on travel and their right to work and education.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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