Kabul, July 27, 2013
Afghanistan Journalists Center condemns the humiliation and beating of a local journalist by governor of Parwan province, in strongest terms and called in the Afghan government to seriously pursue the case.
The incident happened at Istanbul restaurant, Kabul down town on Friday around 7.30 pm, local time.
A video of local reporter, Nasratullah Iqbal circulated in social networking websites which shows him in a bad situation with his face and dress covered in blood.
Nasratullah Iqbal said to AFJC, that he was invited by a friend of Parwan province to the restaurant to discuss some issues.
“I went there, the governor Salangi was also there together with a number of other individuals. The governor criticized me for writing a review regarding his book and when I tried to answer him, he insulted and hit me on my face with a bottle of water and then started humiliating me with his guards.” He said.
"The governor has also said If i kill you then your father will come to my house and will ask me regarding your death." Iqbal added
Mr. Iqbal also claims that he was kept by the governor and his three bodyguards for three hours after he was beaten by the governor. However Parwan provincial governor deny the allegations against him and ruled out having any issues with him.
Afghanistan Journalists Center expresses serious concerns about the increase of such incidents of violations against reporters in a critical time that the process of voters registration for the presidential and local council elections are months away. The AFJC request the Afghan government to ensure the freedom of media activities by ensuring the security and supporting the reporters’ rights by holding the violators accountable for their acts.