Taliban Releases Afghan Journalist After 134 Days In Prison, Reports AFJC

The Afghanistan Journalists Centre announced the release of Sultan Ali Jawadi, the former editor-in-chief of Radio Nasim in Daikundi, after 134 days in Taliban custody.

The centre denounced the journalist's detention as a violation of Afghan media laws and said that his freedom should never have been deprived.

Taliban intelligence forces raided the radio station's office on September 27, 2023, confiscating equipment and detaining Jawadi, along with Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi, two journalists from the outlet.

While the Taliban released the two journalists the same day, Jawadi received a one-year prison sentence.

According to reports, the Taliban accused the former editor-in-chief of Radio Nasim of engaging in "propaganda against the group" and "espionage for foreign countries”.

Although Jawadi was released after spending 134 days in Taliban custody, Radio Nasim's broadcasts resumed after a five-month suspension.

One of the conditions for the resumption of the local radio's broadcasts was a commitment to comply with Taliban media laws.