August 11, 2023
Asadabad, Kunar Province – The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) strongly condemns the detention of local freelance journalist Parwiz Sargand in eastern Kunar province amid an ongoing crackdown on media in Afghanistan. We urgently call for his immediate and unconditional release.
A journalist from Kunar province, who wishes to remain anonymous due to security concerns, said:"Sargand was detained today around 10 am shortly after conducting an interview with a local shopkeeper in the provincial capital, Asadabad."
The local Taliban authorities have not provided any comments on the issue, leaving the circumstances surrounding Sargand's arrest unclear. However, reliable sources in Kunar province have verified to AFJC that he has been detained based on allegations of working for exiled media outlets.
AFJC stated, "We strongly condemn the detention of Parwiz Sargand and consider it a flagrant violation of journalists' rights." "We urge the Taliban for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of all other journalists currently detained in the country."
AFJC further stated, "We also call on the relevant authorities to uphold press freedom, respect journalists' rights, and create an environment conducive to a free and independent media."
Sargand's detention reflects the latest actions taken by the Taliban in their broad crackdown on media in Afghanistan. His arrest brings the total number of detained journalists and media workers this week to four. Among those detained are two journalists from the local Killid radio station in eastern Nangarhar province and a reporter from the Bakhtar news agency in southeastern Ghazni province. Additionally, Afghan-French reporter Murteza Behboudi, two freelance reporters from Kabul, and Aminullah Alemi, the head of Mumtaz Radio station in Northern Fariab province, remain in custody.