Suspected killer of a female journalist arrested by Police in Northern Balkh province

Suspected killer of a female journalist arrested by Police in Northern Balkh province

October 11, 2014

Mazar-e-Sharif: The Afghanistan Journalists Center welcomes arrest of the alleged killer of young female journalist, Palwasha Tokhi who was killed a month ago, and asks the government to ensure that the justice will be done as speedily as possible.

Palwasha was attacked in her home on September 16 in Mazar-i-Sharif and brutally stabbed to death.

According to Pajhwok Afghan New, Col. Abdul Razaq Qadri, provincial police chief said intensive investigations led to the arrest of the 32 years old killer in the province.

He went there for robbery and ultimately killed Palwasha, the police chief stated. The alleged killer is said to have served in the company of Palwasha’s father four years.

Confessing his crime, Gul Muhammad said he was needy and did not intend to kill the girl.

Present on the occasion, Khalilulah Tokhi, Palwasha’s father thanked police for bringing the culprit to justice. Mr. Tokhi claimed he was not rich enough to attract a robber.

He urged the police to further investigate the matter as the murder might have political and other aspects as well.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center welcomes this development, however long it has taken, and hopes justice will be done as speedily as possible. After a month since this gruesome act was committed, the AFJC is relieved that the police have eventually acted on this case.

AFJC’s finding shows that the violence against journalists in Afghanistan has gone alarmingly in 2014- 29% increase during the past eight months (Jan to August) compared to the same time period of the last year indicates the scope of journalistic activities is becoming increasingly limited in the country.

As of Jan 2014 to August 30, 2014 a total of 80 cases of violence against journalists have been recorded, including six cases of killing (Three times than last year) and the rest include verbal and physical assault and different types of threats, but, in the same time period in 2013, 62 case of violence including 2 case of murdering were recorded.