Afghan journalist released through brief detention and harassment
The Taliban's intelligence service released a local journalist a day after he was arrested and harassed for unknown reasons, a media advocacy group and his colleagues confirmed on Monday.
Hussein Ahmadi, the host and presenter of the private TV network Rah Farda, was arrested outside Kabul's central passport office after being called to pick up his passport, the Afghan News Agency said in a statement. He was released through the mediation of Afghan media activists.
The journalist was beaten by members of the Taliban while in custody, private TV news producer Mohammad Elham Neda told DPA.
Neda said Ahmadi had been released after much effort, but authorities had not revealed the reason for his arrest.
Hundreds of journalists have fled Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and many more are seeking refuge.
Dozens of journalists were briefly detained and tortured for covering anti-Taliban demonstrations.
Many media outlets have shut down due to security threats, censorship and financial problems.
Last weekend, a local Iranian state television journalist, Ali Reza Sharifi, survived an assassination attempt in the city of Kabul.
Reporters Without Borders considers Afghanistan one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
Source: MIA