Taliban police in Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province have confirmed the arrest of journalist Nazera Rashidi, saying she was detained in connection with what they described as a criminal case, not her media work.
In a statement on Monday, the Taliban police command said Rashidi was arrested along with four other women and that the case was unrelated to journalism, adding that she was no longer working with any media outlet.
“The arrest of Nazera Rashidi, who previously worked as a journalist for a local radio station, has no link to media activities,” the statement said, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as “misleading propaganda”.
Taliban said investigations were ongoing and that the detainees would be handed over to judicial institutions once inquiries were completed.
Rashidi’s family, however, has rejected the Taliban’s account. In a letter shared with media outlets, her relatives said she was at risk of being forced to make a confession and subjected to character assassination and security-related accusations.
Her sister, Hajera Rashidi, said Nazera Rashidi is the sole caregiver for two young children and has been held without formal charges.
The family alleged that Taliban-affiliated media and institutions were coordinating to build a case against her, claims the Taliban have not commented on.
The arrest comes amid continued concern from rights groups over the treatment of journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
