May 10, 2025
Ghazni – The Afghanistan Journalists Center(AFJC) is deeply concerned by the detention of Soliman Rahel, managing director of "Khoshhal" Radio in Ghazni province, by the de facto provincial department of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI). We urgently call on the de facto authorities in Ghazni to release Rahel unconditionally and ensure that journalists can operate freely without fear of detention or intimidation.
According to local sources who requested anonymity for safety reasons, Rahel was detained around 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, by GDI members in Ghazni, provincial capital of Ghazni province. The specific reasons for his detention remain unclear. Some reports suggest that Rahel's recent Facebook posts addressing social issues, including economic hardship faced by residents, may have prompted his detention. De facto authorities reportedly view social commentary on public challenges as provocative or destabilizing.
The de facto authorities in Ghazni have yet to issue a public statement regarding Rahel’s detention. This incident follows a recent pattern of repression against journalists in Afghanistan. Notably, in September 2024, Hekmat Aryan, former director of Khoshhal Radio, was detained and sentenced to one month in prison on charges of propaganda against the Taliban. He was subsequently released after serving his sentence.
Rahel’s detention marks the fourth incident involving journalist arrests within the past week, including three local journalists detained in Taliqan, Takhar Province, on May 5 and 6.
AFJC urges the de facto authorities in Ghazni to respect press freedom and uphold the rights of journalists as protected under Afghanistan’s media laws. Journalists must be able to perform their professional duties—reporting on social issues, economic conditions, and public concerns—without fear of arrest, harassment, or interference.
According to AFJC’s Press Freedom Tracker, at least 13 journalists and media workers are currently detained or imprisoned across Afghanistan, with sentences ranging from several months to multiple years, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on independent journalism.
We call on the authorities to immediately release Soliman Rahel and all journalists unjustly detained. The safety and independence of the press are essential for fostering transparency, accountability, and a free society.