Afghanistan

Taliban arrest private radio station director in Ghazni

Taliban have arrested Hikmat Aryan, the director of the private radio station, Khushhal, in Ghazni, according to the Afghanistan Journalists Center.

In a statement, the center said Aryan was detained on Sunday, September 29, at his office in Ghazni by Taliban intelligence officers.

Citing a source, the center reported that Aryan was accused of discussing past Taliban suicide attacks in an audio recording, which was broadcast on the radio station.

Taliban viewed this broadcast as an insult and disrespect to their group, the statement said. However, Aryan’s family has rejected the accusations against him.

Khushhal radio began operations about seven months ago in Ghazni.

According to a recent report by Reporters Without Borders, the Taliban have arrested 141 journalists over the past three years.