By Nizamuddin Rezahi in Khaama Press, May 20, 2023
Taliban released Ali Latifi, an Afghan-American journalist after he was detained in Kabul on charge of “suspicious behavior” according to police officials.
Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s security command in Kabul wrote on Twitter on May 19 that Latifi was arrested late on May 18 in the capital on charges of suspicious behavior, but released late Friday night.
Hashmat Ghani, the brother of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, wrote in a tweet that Latifi was arrested after leaving his home on “false allegations of drinking alcohol.”
U.S.-based Amu TV, an association of Afghan journalists, reported that friends and relatives had been unable to reach him since his detention.
Since the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, the group has threatened, detained and tortured scores of local and foreign journalists in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s de facto regime has imposed tough restrictions on Media and journalists to strictly abide by to avoid possible arrest by the Taliban group. These restrictions and economic challenges have led to the closure of nearly half of one media outlet and new agencies in Afghanistan.
Media and journalists have been repeatedly warned to avoid criticizing the ruling regime and speaking or writing against the Taliban members.
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-american-journalist-released-after-short-detention/
