Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The Afghanistan Journalists Center has demanded the immediate release of journalist Sayed Rashid Kashifi, detained by intelligence forces in Kabul.
According to a statement released on Thursday, April 17, the center reported that Kashifi was arrested three days ago by Taliban intelligence forces in Kabul, allegedly due to his cooperation with exiled media outlets.
The statement also revealed that Taliban intelligence had confiscated Kashifi’s mobile phone nearly a month prior to his arrest, indicating that he may have been under surveillance for some time.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center emphasized that at least nine journalists and media workers are currently detained by the Taliban, highlighting a continuing pattern of repression against media professionals.
Since their return to power, the Taliban have systematically cracked down on media freedom in Afghanistan—shutting down outlets, silencing dissenting voices, and subjecting journalists to arrests, intimidation, and even torture.
The ongoing suppression of journalists by the Taliban not only threatens the safety of individual reporters but also undermines the public’s access to truthful and timely information. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates continue to call for urgent action and accountability.