The United Nations and media-rights groups say Taliban authorities have detained at least three Afghan journalists on undisclosed charges, raising urgent concerns about press freedom. TOLONews named Imran Danish and Mansoor Niazi as detainees in Kabul, while the Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that Jawid Niazi was detained on May 6. The Committee to Protect Journalists described a related raid on TOLONews and its parent company, Moby Group. Rights groups are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists and demanding transparency from the authorities.
UN and Rights Groups: Taliban Detain Three Afghan Journalists, Sparking International Concern
This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The United Nations and several media-rights organizations say Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have detained at least three journalists on undisclosed charges, prompting renewed international alarm about press freedom in the country.
The U.N. mission in Afghanistan expressed "serious concern" on Thursday, citing reports of assaults on journalists and the confiscation of property during search operations by the de facto authorities. The mission urged Taliban authorities to uphold their obligations under international human rights law and to ensure that journalists can work without fear of intimidation, harassment, or reprisal.
Who Was Detained
Afghanistan's Ministry of Information and Culture said two staff members of the Afghan broadcaster TOLONews were arrested "a few days ago," without providing formal charges, and described the matter as "under investigation." TOLONews identified the detained employees as Imran Danish (political editor) and Mansoor Niazi (anchor), saying both were detained in Kabul.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), an organization that advocates for press freedom, reported that a third journalist, Jawid Niazi, owner and reporter for the Paigard private news agency, was detained on May 6. AFJC and other groups have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all three.
Raid, Reactions And Context
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the arrests were followed by "a sweeping raid" on TOLONews and its parent company, Moby Group. Kunal Majumder, CPJ's Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator, said the events underscore "the climate of fear facing journalists in Afghanistan" and called on authorities to release the detained reporters and allow the press to operate without interference.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan has consistently ranked among the world's worst countries for press freedom. Reporters Without Borders placed Afghanistan at 175 out of 180 in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
Authorities have detained journalists previously on a range of charges. In 2022, three TOLO employees were briefly detained after reporting on an alleged ban on foreign drama broadcasts; they were later released. In 2023, a French-Afghan journalist was held for more than 280 days before a court cleared him of espionage and other charges and he was released.
U.N. Statement: "A free, independent, and safe press is essential for transparency, accountability, and the well-being of Afghan society," the U.N. mission said, urging that journalists be allowed to do their work without fear.
International rights groups continue to monitor developments and press the Taliban to provide transparency about any legal proceedings and to respect fundamental press freedoms.
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