Three journalists have been apprehended by Taliban authorities following their detention on Monday in Khost province, eastern Afghanistan.
According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), Ismail Sadaat from Naaz Radio, Wahidullah Masoum from Iqra Radio, and Ehsanullah Tasal from Voice of People were captured on allegations of “broadcasting music” and “engaging with women through their programs.”
The journalists were taken into custody by the Taliban around 1:30 p.m. on Monday and transported to the provincial security department of Taliban. The AFJC report elucidated that during what appeared to be a meeting, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue scrutinized the journalists’ program content and notified them of impending legal action.
This arrest incident follows a previous cautionary advisory from the Taliban Khost security department to media outlets regarding the disclosure of women’s contact details in their broadcasts.
Over the past two and a half years, the Taliban has detained and purportedly subjected to mistreatment numerous journalists, along with activists championing civil and women’s rights, and advocates for education.