KABUL: The Afghan Taliban interim government has arrested two journalists from the leading private broadcaster TOLOnews, prompting strong criticism from media watchdogs and press freedom organizations.
TOLOnews said in a post on X on Sunday that its journalists, Imran Danish and Mansoor Niazi, had been detained in Kabul.
“Security officials, in talks with TOLOnews, have said that details on this matter will be shared after the relevant legal procedures,” the broadcaster said.
د طلوعنیوز دوه خبریالان عمران دانش او منصور نیازی په کابل ښار کې توقیف شوي دي.
امنیتي مسوولینو له طلوعنیوز سره په خبرو کې ویلي چې له اړوندو قانوني پړاوونو وروسته به په دې اړه جزییات شریک شي.#طلوعنیوز pic.twitter.com/OrBa95d6V5
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) May 10, 2026
Afghanistan’s information and culture ministry later confirmed the arrests.
“A few days ago, two TOLOnews journalists were arrested by security agencies,” ministry spokesman Khobaib Ghofran said in a statement.
“Their case is under investigation. The court has not ruled yet,” he added, without specifying the reasons behind the arrests.
Media advocacy group Committee to Protect Journalists called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release the detained journalists and ensure the press can operate without interference.”
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Media Support Organization expressed “deep concerns” over the detentions in a statement, criticizing the lack of “precise information… regarding the reasons for their arrests or their whereabouts.”
“The arrest of Mr. Danish and Mr. Niazi demonstrates that there are no guarantees for the safety of journalists and media outlets,” the watchdog said.
“Even media organizations that attempt to adapt their activities to the current environment are still not safe from arbitrary arrests and pressure.”
According to the organization, six other journalists are currently being held by Taliban authorities.
“In the absence of clearly defined charges, the detention of Mansoor Niazi, Imran Danish, and the other six imprisoned journalists must end immediately,” it added.
Afghanistan currently ranks 175 out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.
