Tamadon TV Editor, Employee Released After Taliban Interior Minister’s Intervention

DID Press: Two journalists from Afghanistan’s private Tamadon TV, who were detained earlier this month on orders from the Taliban’s justice minister, have been released following intervention by Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, local sources said.

Mohammad Rahmati, editor-in-chief of Tamadon TV, and Mohammad Reza Ehsani, an employee of the broadcaster, were released on July 5 after spending about two weeks in detention at a Taliban facility in Kabul province, according to the sources.

The sources said their release came after Haqqani instructed the Taliban-appointed governor of Kabul to free the two journalists.On June 23, Taliban forces raided Tamadon TV’s headquarters in Kabul on the orders of Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaee and halted the broadcaster’s transmissions.

Rahmati and Ehsani were subsequently detained and transferred to a detention facility. The Taliban have not provided an explanation for their arrests.Sources previously said Rahmati’s health deteriorated in detention due to heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, and that he had limited access to medication and medical care.

Afghanistan’s media outlets have faced extensive restrictions, censorship and pressure since the Taliban returned to power. International press freedom organizations and human rights groups have accused the Taliban of suppressing journalists’ rights.Field reports have also documented security pressure, repeated summonses, threats, arrests and alleged mistreatment of journalists.

Under the Taliban, media outlets have been required to produce and publish news and programming in accordance with increasingly restrictive regulations, raising concerns over media independence and freedom of expression.