July 11, 2023
Ghazni, Ghazni Province: Latif Yaqubi, a reporter for Voice of America (VOA), has been released in southeastern Ghazni province after being held for 13 hours.
"Last night, at approximately midnight, I attended a wedding ceremony in the Nawabad area of Ghazni. Unexpectedly, members of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), along with representatives from the Department of Vice and Virtue of Ghanzni province, entered the premises. They proceeded to interrogate me regarding my employment at the VOA," informed Latif Yaqubi to AFJC.
"They claimed that the VOA broadcasting had already been prohibited in Afghanistan, therefore making my role as a reporter for the organization illegal. Additionally, they accused me of spying for the U.S. and western powers, subsequently relocating me to the Vice and Virtue office where I was detained inside a storage container," Yaqubi further explained.
The Taliban imposed bans on two United States-funded broadcasters, Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty FM, in Afghanistan in December 2022, claiming the media outlets had broken press laws and exhibited bias
According to Yaqubi, he was released after more than 13 hours with the efforts of local journalists and the provincial Department of Information and Culture on Tuesday at around 1:00 pm.
Mawlawi Hamidullah Nesar, the IEA’s provincial head of Information and Culture said that the Yaqoubi’s arrest was not related to his work.
AFJC said:” We welcome the release of VOA reporter Latif Yaqubi, but his detention indicates a worrisome and reprehensible escalation of attacks on the independent media that silencing of critical reportage and blatant disregard for press freedom in Afghanistan,” “The authorities must ensure that he can work without further intimidation or threat of arrest.”