The Afghanistan Journalists Center has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Said Rahim Saeedi, a filmmaker and television producer.
The organization has also demanded that the Taliban halt the detention, threats, and intimidation of journalists and media personnel.
According to reports, Saidi, the managing director and producer of the YouTube channel “Nam,” was detained last Sunday along with two colleagues and two other individuals in the Khushal Khan area.
Sources reported that while the Taliban’s intelligence service in Kabul released the other detainees the following day, Saidi remains in custody with no information on his current status.
The Taliban has yet to comment on the reasons for Saidi’s detention. Saidi’s associates claim that he has been a cultural activist with no political involvement.
According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center, Saidi has over two decades of experience in media and filmmaking. He has worked with the private media organization Ariana since 2005 and has managed the “Anar” YouTube channel for the past five months.
The “Anar” channel, funded by an investor, produces and publishes travel, cultural, and religious programs focusing on Afghanistan, particularly Kabul.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that at least 29 journalists and media workers have been detained by the Taliban’s intelligence or the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the first six months of this year.
In light of the ongoing conflict and restrictive measures in Afghanistan, the plight of media professionals remains dire. Their work is critical in documenting the challenges faced by ordinary Afghans, but they often face severe risks.
The international community must remain vigilant and advocate for the safety and freedom of journalists in Afghanistan to ensure that their voices can continue to be heard.
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