Local sources have confirmed that Rashid Kashifi, an Afghan journalist, has been arrested for the second time by the Taliban’s intelligence agency in Kabul.
Kashifi is an active journalist based in Kabul who has worked with several media outlets, including The Kabul Times newspaper and Rasa TV.
According to sources, Taliban forces detained the journalist near his residence in the capital city.
This marks the second time Kashifi has been arrested by the Taliban. The first incident occurred in December 2021, when he was detained while reporting in the streets of Kabul.
In previous interviews, Kashifi stated that he was physically assaulted during his first detention by Taliban forces.
The repeated arrests of journalists by the Taliban’s intelligence unit have raised serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of media professionals in Afghanistan. In addition to harassment, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on the operations of local media.
Media watchdog organizations have repeatedly urged the Taliban to stop arresting journalists and shutting down independent media outlets. However, the Taliban continue to claim that only those media and journalists who align with their version of “national interests” and follow their directives will be allowed to operate.
