January 27, 2025
Kabul – The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) vehemently condemns the unjust three-year prison sentence imposed on Sayed Rahim Saidi, the managing director and producer of Anar Media, a YouTube-based broadcaster in Kabul. Saidi was sentenced on October 27, 2024, by the de facto third district court in Kabul on charges of "propaganda against the Islamic Emirate" (Taliban), a move that underscores the ongoing repression of media freedom in Afghanistan.
The proceedings of Saidi's trial were deeply troubling; sources close to the case, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, reported that the hearing occurred without the presence of Saidi’s family or lawyer. Disturbingly, it is alleged that Saidi was coerced into accepting the sentence under threats of a longer prison term should he refuse. His family is understandably apprehensive that bringing attention to the court’s decision may hinder their efforts to secure his release.
Despite attempts to appeal the verdict and seek amnesty from the office of the de facto supreme leader in Kandahar, these efforts have met with frustration. Saidi has since been transferred from the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) detention center to Pul-e Charkhi, Kabul's main prison, where he is reportedly suffering from serious health issues, including lumbar disc disease and prostate complications.
Sayed Rahim Saidi had been working on a screenplay addressing the plight of a girl denied education by the Taliban authorities—a project that led to his investigation by the GDI. Under the Taliban de facto, girls are barred from continuing their education beyond the sixth grade, with similar restrictions placed on higher education.
Saidi was initially detained on July 14, 2024, alongside his son, Sayed Wares Saidi, a reporter at Anar Media, and Hasib Sadat, a cameraman for the outlet. While Wares Saidi and Hasib Sadat were interrogated and subsequently released, Sayed Rahim Saidi has endured ongoing detention.
With over two decades of experience in media and film production, Saidi is a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s media landscape. He previously served as a production manager and producer with Ariana TV since its inception in 2005. Anar Media, which he launched with private investment in February 2024, has gained over 17,000 followers on YouTube, producing a diverse array of social, cultural, and religious content.
AFJC urgently calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Sayed Rahim Saidi, emphasizing the critical importance of upholding the rights of journalists and media workers. We urge the de facto authorities to halt the harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention of media personnel, allowing them to operate freely and without fear in accordance with Afghanistan's media law.
Currently, at least four journalists and media workers are serving prison sentences ranging from two to three years under the ruling administration’s courts. AFJC remains steadfast in its commitment to advocate for media freedom and the protection of journalists in Afghanistan.