Case Update Status

Journalists were released on Aug 27, 2021 after initial investigation of Taliban's.

Summary of Case

"On 24 Aug, 2021 two Khyber News personnel -- reporter Matin Khan and cameraperson Muhammad Ali -- were arrested in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

According to Arab News, the two media personnel were arrested while reporting for Khyber News.

Chief Controller News Mubarak Ali told PPF that Taliban had released both the journalists after completing their investigation on August 27.

Ali said that he had sent the two for reporting in Kandahar on a visit visa, adding that people from Chaman and Kandahar could move without any visa requirements. According to Ali, when the journalists were recording footage of a Taliban meeting, they reacted and asked the journalists (Matin Khan and Muhammad Ali) for details. However, Ali specified that the Taliban were polite (Taliban's talk politely, No harsh wording was used, Not torture the detained Journalists) and the journalists were happy with their behavior and had remained in touch with him throughout.

Ali said that the Pakistan Embassy in Afghanistan had played a vital role in resolving the matter, adding that he was glad that every institution supported the journalists. Ali says that he will send the journalists back to Kandahar with the proper documents for reporting.

According to Khyber News Quetta Bureau Chief Jabbar Shah, the journalists were detained by Taliban in confusion and due to the current situation in Afghanistan, he confirmed the news of their release.

Chaman Press Club President Noor Zaman who handled the matter said that he had a “two liner information” about the detention of the journalists. The statement had said that the interrogation of the journalists was underway. Zaman contacted Taliban Commander Abdullah Mujahid and Kandahar Information Minister Malik Muhammad to resolve the matter.

According to Zaman, a number of Pakistani journalists travelled from Chaman to Kandahar to cover the recent developments. He said that the arrested journalists did not bear any marks of torture although at first the behavior of the Taliban commanders was “not good”. He said that once the institutions were involved and the journalists explained their situation they acted politely which he said was a “good sign”.

Zaman said the journalists were released by the Taliban after completing their initial inquiry. They returned to Chaman on August 27. Khan confirmed to PPF that he is now home.

PPF welcomes the release and timely resolution of the matter, however, we urge media organizations to be more proactive in their safety protocol to avoid such situations. The proper documentation and safety gear of journalists being sent into a dangerous environment should be checked prior to such untoward incidents, not after, alongside a complete risk assessment.

Journalist Ghulam Akber told PPF that journalists was in Kandahar for professional assignment when the incident happened, however they released them at 10:00 AM on Aug 27 from their jail"

Category of Incident

Detained

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0202- Acts against liberty

ICCS Group: 02022- Deprivation of liberty

ICCS Class: 020222- Illegal restraint

ICCS Crime: Illegal Restraint

Reported By

Daily Pakistan

Date of incident

24

Month

August

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Matin Khan

Other affected persons

Muhammad Ali

Name of affected organization

Khyber News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Tehreek-e-Taliban (Afghanistan)

City

Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Province

Kandahar (Afghanistan)

Designation

Reporter and Cameraperson

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

Journalists denied to share information.

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No FIR registered

Court where case was presented: Case not presented in any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case not presented in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case not presented in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

N/A

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

"Journalist Ghulam Akber told PPF that journalists was in Kandahar for professional assignment when the incident happened, however they released them at 10:00 AM on Aug 27 from their jail "

Employer organization

"Chief Controller News Mubarak Ali told PPF that Taliban had released both the journalists after completing their investigation on August 27. Ali said that he had sent the two for reporting in Kandahar on a visit visa, adding that people from Chaman and Kandahar could move without any visa requirements. According to Ali, when the journalists were recording footage of a Taliban meeting, they reacted and asked the journalists (Matin Khan and Muhammad Ali) for details. However, Ali specified that the Taliban were polite (Taliban's talk politely, No harsh wording was used, Not torture the detained Journalists) and the journalists were happy with their behavior and had remained in touch with him throughout. Ali said that the Pakistan Embassy in Afghanistan had played a vital role in resolving the matter, adding that he was glad that every institution supported the journalists. Ali says that he will send the journalists back to Kandahar with the proper documents for reporting. According to Khyber News Quetta Bureau Chief Jabbar Shah, the journalists were detained by Taliban in confusion and due to the current situation in Afghanistan, he confirmed the news of their release. "

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "Chaman Press Club President Noor Zaman who handled the matter said that he had a “two liner information” about the detention of the journalists. The statement had said that the interrogation of the journalists was underway. Zaman contacted Taliban Commander Abdullah Mujahid and Kandahar Information Minister Malik Muhammad to resolve the matter. According to Zaman, a number of Pakistani journalists travelled from Chaman to Kandahar to cover the recent developments. He said that the arrested journalists did not bear any marks of torture although at first the behavior of the Taliban commanders was “not good”. He said that once the institutions were involved and the journalists explained their situation they acted politely which he said was a “good sign”. Zaman said the journalists were released by the Taliban after completing their initial inquiry. They returned to Chaman on August 27. Khan confirmed to PPF that he is now home. "

Press club 2:

Press club 3: