The Afghanistan Journalists Center has published a report regarding the detention of Mahdi Ansari, a journalist for the Afghan News Agency, stating that he has gone missing. However, sources close to the journalist indicate that they possess evidence suggesting he has been apprehended by the Taliban intelligence forces.
In this report, the Afghanistan Journalists Center has expressed serious concern regarding the situation of Mahdi Ansari, urging the Taliban government to clarify the status of this journalist and facilitate his immediate and safe reunion with his family.
One of Mahdi Ansari’s friends informed the Afghanistan Journalists Center, “This journalist disappeared on the evening of Saturday, October 4, after leaving the Afghan News Agency office in the Pul-e-Khushk area of Kabul. Another source, closely monitoring the situation, reported that family and friends of the journalist, are worried about his condition, and have visited various Taliban police stations in Kabul. During these inquiries, they were informally informed by personnel at the 13th police district that Ansari has been detained by intelligence forces.”
This comes as Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government currently based in Kandahar, stated regarding Mahdi Ansari’s disappearance that the intelligence agency has claimed that they have not detained Mahdi Ansari.
Mahdi Ansari has been working as a reporter for Afghan News Agency in Kabul for the past two years.
From this institution, Rahmatullah Karimi, the director of the Afghan News Agency, has expressed his concern over Ansari’s disappearance and mentioned that he has shared this matter with the Ministry of Information and Culture, as well as the country’s Information and Media Center.
He further added, “Ansari was detained by Taliban police approximately one year ago while covering the anniversary ceremony of the deadly attack on the Kaaj Educational Center in Kabul. He was subsequently released after pledging to coordinate in advance, but since that time, he has not faced overt threats regarding his work with this media outlet.”
Journalists in Afghanistan have historically encountered numerous challenges, including insecurity, threats, detention, physical assault, a lack of conducive working environments, and issues relating to access to information. However, in recent months, these challenges have intensified, leading to growing concern within the journalistic community in Afghanistan.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency