KABUL — At least 15 journalists and media workers, along with three religious scholars critical of the Taliban, remain in Taliban custody, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Two additional sources from organizations that support journalists confirmed to Amu that some of the detained reporters have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to three years by Taliban courts.
Among them is Sulaiman Rahil, director of Khushhal Radio in Ghazni, who was recently sentenced to three months in prison, according to the Afghanistan Journalists Center.
One recently released detainee, who spoke to Amu on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the Taliban continue to suppress dissent through arrests and intimidation.
“They raided our home, put a black plastic bag over my head in front of my family, and beat me unconscious during the arrest,” the individual said. “I was subjected to torture throughout my detention.”
The whereabouts of three detained clerics — Mawlawi Abdul Qader Qanit, Mawlawi Sirajuddin, and Mawlawi Bashir Hanafi — also remain unknown. The scholars had been publicly critical of Taliban policies prior to their arrests, according to relatives, who say their families are living in fear.
Taliban have not publicly commented on the detentions. However, the Taliban’s spokesperson has previously denied allegations of mistreatment in its prisons.
Rights groups continue to express concern over the Taliban’s pattern of arresting journalists, activists, and religious figures since returning to power in August 2021. Observers say the detentions reflect a broader effort to silence independent voices and restrict public discourse.
