In a statement, the Afghanistan Journalists Center expressed concern over the arrest of Mohammad Hossein Velayati, an Iranian photojournalist, and asked the authorities of the Islamic Emirate to release this photojournalist.
The organization also called for an end to the practice of “arresting and harassing” journalists in Afghanistan.
Based on information from the Afghanistan Journalists Center, at least 11 journalists have been arrested in different regions of the country in the past two weeks, including nine people who are still in prison. The information from the Afghan Journalists’ Center indicates that at least four other journalists who were arrested in recent months are also in prison, and the total number of journalists and media workers currently imprisoned in the country is 13. Meanwhile, Iran Ambassador to Kabul Hassan Kazemi Qomi, in a conversation with the Iranian media, also demanded the release of the photographer and journalist of the country from the prison of the Islamic Emirate in Kabul.
Qomi said that the Iranian authorities in Kabul are following up on the matter and he hopes that the dialogue for the release of this Iranian journalist will reach a conclusion.
However, the Islamic Emirate has not yet made any comment about the arrest of the Iranian journalist. Yesterday, Tasnim news agency, an Iranian “semi-official” news outlet, announced on social media the arrest of its photographer and editor by the Islamic Emirate. Tasnim news agency said the Iranian photojournalist was arrested by the Islamic Emirate this week while returning to Iran at the Kabul airport “without any clear reason”. —Agency
