On the recent arrests of journalists in Afghanistan

The recent arrests of journalists in Afghanistan have caused concern in the Afghan journalism community inside and outside the country. In the past week, five journalists have been arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban.

1- Faqir Ahamad Faqirzai of Killid Radio Nengarhar, arrested on August 10 

2- Jan Agha Saleh of Killid Radio Nengarhar, arrested on August 10 

3- Habib Sarab of Ariana TV Negarhar, arrested on August 10 

4- Wahdatullah Abdali, local reporter of Bakhtar News Agency from Ghazni, arrested on August 6

5- Hasib Hasass Salam, correspondent of Wayandar Kunduz, arrested on August 10 

IAWRT Afghanistan condemns these arrests and asks for the immediate release of these journalists. We believe that such actions lead to a closed space for information in the country, becoming more closed and journalists and media cannot fulfill their duties as they should. We ask international organizations to stand with Afghan journalists in more coherent cooperation.