November 1, 2025
Kabul — Freelance journalist Sayed Rashed Kashifi has been released from prison in Kabul after nearly seven months in custody. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomes his release but remains deeply concerned about ongoing violations of his fundamental rights and the broader crackdown on media workers in Afghanistan.
A journalist based in Kabul, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, stated that Sayed Rashed Kashifi was released around 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, from the de facto authorities' detention center at the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) in Kabul.
Kashifi was detained the GDI by on April 13, 2025, on suspicion of collaborating with exile and foreign media outlets, and was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison by a local court.
The journalist reported that Kashifi was detained for approximately six months and 19 days across multiple facilities, including GDI’s Directorate 40, Pul-e-Charkhi Prison, and Bagram Prison.
AFJC emphasizes that Kashifi’s detention and trial constitute clear violations of his human and professional rights. We condemn these actions in the strongest terms. We call on the Taliban de facto authorities to respect the rights of journalists and media workers and to release all individuals unjustly detained without delay. Furthermore, we urge the de facto authorities to ensure that journalists and media staff can operate freely, without fear of threats, intimidation, or arrest, and to uphold their legal rights under Afghan media law.
According to data from AFJC’s press freedom tracker, at least seven journalists and media workers are currently in detention or serving sentences across Afghanistan. The ongoing crackdown severely undermines the right to free expression and the vital role of independent journalism in the country.
AFJC reiterates its call for the Taliban de facto authorities to uphold international standards of press freedom and human rights by releasing all detained journalists and media personnel and creating a safe environment that allows journalism to thrive.