July 26, 2023
Jalalabad, Nangarhar province- The Afghanistan Journalists Center(AFJC) welcomes the release of journalist Irfanullah Bidar in Eastern Nangarhar province but condemns his arbitrary arrest and two-week detention as a serious press freedom violation. We also call on authorities to release all other media workers who are still in prison in the country because of their journalism work.
A journalist from Jalalabad who asked to remain anonymous due to security concerns told AFJC that Irfanullah Bidar was detained by members of the General Directorate of Intelligence(GDI) in front of the Eidgah Mosque in Jalalabad capital of Nangarhar province on Wednesday, July 12.
Irafanullah Bidar has worked as a reporter and presenter for Safa radio station since 2013. Bidar’s brother, Azamatullah said they were unable to contact him during his disappearance and were provided with no information by Taliban authorities on reasons for his arrest.
Although the journalist has since been released, the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence responsible for his arrest, or Local authorities in Nangarhar province have issued a statement.
Meanwhile, according to the AFJC statistics, at least four other journalists and media workers including an Afghan-French reporter Murteza Behboudi, and two local reporters that -remain anonymous due to security concerns- held by GDI Kabul for several months, and Aminullah Alemi, founder, head of Mumtaz Radio station in Northern Fariab province is in detention since July 22.
AFJC said: “We welcome the release of Irfanullah Bidar, but it is apparent that he should never have been arrested in the first place.” We call on Taliban authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all other journalists, media workers, and to cease the use of force and ensure journalists can do their work without interference, fear, or reprisal.”