Taliban arrest five journalists of a Kabul newspaper day after forming caretaker govt
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Despite the Taliban's assurances to international organisations that it will protect journalists' rights and change its stance on women, many Afghans are said to be sceptical.
According to a tweet from Afghanistan network Tolo News on Wednesday, the Taliban have arrested five Afghan journalists from Etilaatroz, a Kabul daily.
Five journalists from Etilaatroz, a daily newspaper in Kabul, have been arrested by the Taliban, Zaki Daryabi, the editor in chief of the newspaper, said today, tweets Tolo News.
Five journalists from Etilaatroz, a daily newspaper in Kabul, have been arrested by Taliban, Zaki Daryabi, the editor in chief of the newspaper, said today.#TOLOnews pic.twitter.com/TdyxCPyWhO
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) September 8, 2021
Despite the Taliban's assurances to international organisations that it will protect journalists' rights and change its stance on women, many Afghans are said to be sceptical.
The arrest of five journalists comes just one day after the Taliban declared the formation of a new caretaker administration in Afghanistan, led by Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund.
In a another incident, Waheed Ahmadi, a Tolo News journalist, was detained for three hours on Tuesday while covering anti-Pakistan protests in Kabul.
Ahmadi and a dozen other journalists were detained by the Taliban.
Our colleague Waheed Ahmady, who has covered many frontlines over the years, is arrested by the Taliban in Kabul for filming Afghan women's protest. I call on the Taliban to release our colleague asap. https://t.co/Ab0oETTWfX
— Lotfullah Najafizada (@LNajafizada) September 7, 2021
Meanwhile, the Taliban appointed several hardliners in its new government who oversaw the 20-year fight against the US-led military coalition.
The list announced by chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid was dominated by members of the group's old guard.
Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund has been appointed prime minister with two deputies, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Molavi Abdul Salam Hanafi.
(With inputs from agencies)