AFJC Condemns Sentencing of Journalist Mahdi Ansary; Calls for Immediate Release

AFJC Condemns Sentencing of Journalist Mahdi Ansary; Calls for Immediate Release

 

January 8, 2025

Kabul – The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) is alarmed by the recent sentencing of local reporter Mahdi Ansary to one and a half years in prison by the de facto primary court in Kabul. This sentence follows his arrest by the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) three months ago, raising serious concerns about the state of press freedom in Afghanistan.

The trial of Mahdi Ansary took place on January 1, 2025. According to a copy of the court's verdict obtained by AFJC, Ansary was convicted on charges of "propaganda against the Islamic Emirate" (Taliban). His time already spent in detention was taken into account in the sentencing.

Ansary, who worked as a reporter for the Afghan News Agency, was reported missing after leaving his office on the evening of October 5, 2024. A family member confirmed that he was arrested by GDI officers and has been held at "Directorate 40" in Kabul since that time.

Rahmatullah Karimi, the managing director of the Afghan News Agency, stated to AFJC that Ansary's arrest was not connected to his professional reporting. However, a colleague close to Ansary indicated that he had been sharing information about events in Afghanistan on social media platforms, including Facebook and his personal YouTube channel, which may have been considered a violation of the restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities.

AFJC strongly condemns the conviction of Mahdi Ansary, viewing it as an infringement on the rights of journalists to perform their duties without fear of reprisal. Under Afghanistan's media law, which the de facto Ministry of Information and Culture recognizes, journalists are entitled to exercise their rights to free expression and to report on issues of public interest without undue restrictions.

We urge the de facto authorities to thoroughly review the sentence of Mahdi Ansary and to release him, along with all other imprisoned journalists, immediately and unconditionally.

AFJC’s investigations reveal that at least three other journalists and media workers are currently serving sentences ranging from two to three years in prison, further illustrating the precarious situation for media professionals in Afghanistan.

 


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