Taliban release video of jailed Afghan journalist’s ‘confession’

[duluxe]

Taliban-linked social media accounts have released a video showing the “confession” of Shakib Ahmad Nazari, a detained Afghan journalist.

In the video, the Taliban allege that Nazari shared reports and footage of women’s protests and human rights issues with foreign media outlets, including Japan’s NTV. They claim the material was used to spread propaganda against their administration, particularly the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

The Taliban said Nazari was arrested on July 23 on charges of “collaborating with Afghan media abroad.” It remains unclear under what conditions the video was recorded.

Sources told Amu TV that Nazari and another journalist, Bashir Hatif, have been held in Taliban prisons in Kabul for nearly a month after being arrested by enforcers from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Both had previously worked with various Afghan media outlets.

The same sources said at least 10 journalists are currently detained by the Taliban.

International watchdogs have documented more than 500 cases of violence and mistreatment of Afghan journalists over the past four years, including imprisonment and torture.