UN Refugee Agency Reports Arrest of Two Journalists Associated with Organization in Kabul

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced on Friday that two foreign journalists and several Afghan citizens who were on a mission for the organization in Afghanistan have been detained in Kabul.

The UN agency said it will make every effort to resolve the matter, but has refrained from making further comments on the issue.

Although the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees did not name the detainees, according to reports, one of them is Andrew North, a former BBC journalist.

Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, freedom of expression and media have been among the areas facing serious challenges, and many Afghan journalists have been forced to leave the country.

Meanwhile, in recent months, a number of journalists and media activists have been detained in Afghanistan.

Last week, for instance, Sharif Hasanyar, head of the private television network Ariana in Kabul, wrote on his Twitter account that Aslam Hejab and Warith Hasrat, two journalists of the network, have been detained “without valid reason and their families are worried.”

The two were released a day later.

Source: Radio Farda