Afghanistan: TOLOnews reporter denies reports he was killed by Taliban
Shortly after reports emerged that a TOLOnews reporter was killed by the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan, the journalist clarified that he had only been thrashed and was alive. The attack on the journalist came days after TOLOnews owner Saad Mohseni had said that he is "slightly surprised" they are still on-air. The Taliban had overthrown the Afghanistan government on August 15 after seizing Kabul.
Journalists were reporting on poverty, unemployment in Kabul
According to the initial report, the Taliban had killed TOLOnews reporter Ziar Yaad in Kabul. The reporter's cameraperson was also beaten by the Taliban while the journalists were reporting on poverty and unemployment at the Haji Yaqub intersection in Kabul. However, Yaad clarified the reports of his death were false. He said, "I was beaten by the Taliban in Kabul's New City while reporting."
Perpetrators not arrested; serious threat to freedom of expression: Yaad
"The Taliban got out of an armored Land Cruiser and hit me at gunpoint," Yaad tweeted, adding that the crew's equipment and personal phones were hijacked. "I still don't know why they behaved like that and suddenly attacked me. The issue has been shared with Taliban leaders; however, the perpetrators have not yet been arrested, which is a serious threat to freedom of expression."
You can read his tweet here
Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15
After the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in a bid to end its two-decade-long 'War on Terror,' the Taliban advanced quickly, seizing key provincial capitals. Eventually, the group stormed the Presidential Palace in Kabul on August 15. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and the Taliban took over. During a press conference last week, the group said private media organizations could function.
Journalists face restrictions, attacks in Afghanistan
Despite the Taliban's assurance, the situation on the ground appears to be different. Journalist Shabnam Dawran said she was barred from working at her TV station. Radio Television Afghanistan's Sahar Nasari said the Taliban took his camera during a reporting assignment and thrashed one of his colleagues. Deutsche Welle said one of their journalist's relatives was killed and another badly injured by the Taliban.
In July, Taliban had killed Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui
A month before Kabul fell, Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed in clashes in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. The 38-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist was killed as two Afghan soldiers left him behind during a retreat while the Taliban attacked, a Reuters investigation said on Tuesday.
Taliban recently visited TOLOnews office; were 'very respectful'
In a recent interview with NDTV, Mohseni said the Taliban had visited the TOLOnews office in Kabul and were "very respectful." The group, however, seized weapons from the company's armed security team. "Slightly surprised we are still allowed to function...although they always assured us, they are open to the idea of a free press in Afghanistan and particularly local news organizations," he said.
'There are different factions; waiting for real Taliban to emerge'
"I think we have to wait for the real Taliban to stand up," Mohseni explained, "There are different factions...some moderate and pragmatic and others very hardcore. Some understand they have to engage, others may have an 'isolationist' Afghanistan in mind." He added, "There is a long way to go before we know, for sure, how they will treat the media and news organizations."
