Richard Lindsay, the UK’s special envoy for Afghanistan, expressed concern over the detention of journalists by Taliban and called for transparency, due process and respect for their rights.
In a post on X, Lindsay referred to reports that three journalists had been detained without clear charges, alongside allegations of assaults and confiscation of media property.
“Journalists must be able to work without fear,” he wrote.
Lindsay’s comments came in response to a statement issued a day earlier by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which urged Taliban to clarify the legal basis for the arrests and ensure that the rights of detainees were respected throughout judicial proceedings.
UNAMA also expressed concern about reports of raids on media offices in Kabul and the seizure of equipment, describing the detentions on unspecified charges as “seriously concerning.”
The statement followed the arrests of Mansoor Niazi and Imran Danish, two journalists with TOLOnews, as well as Jawed Niazi, editor of a local media outlet.
Taliban have confirmed the detention of the two TOLOnews journalists, saying their cases are under investigation, but have not publicly disclosed the accusations against them.
Sources previously told Amu TV that Taliban intelligence forces later raided the offices of TOLOnews and its parent company, Moby Group, in Kabul, surrounding the compound for several hours and inspecting employees’ mobile phones and equipment.
The arrests and raids have prompted condemnation from international rights and press freedom organizations.
Amnesty International said the detentions appeared to be part of a broader pattern of intimidation and reprisals against journalists in Afghanistan.
According to media rights organizations, at least seven journalists are currently being held in Taliban custody.
Afghanistan ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.
