KABUL (Tolo News): Two radio stations were closed and six reporters were arrested by the Islamic Emirate in Kandahar, officials of the radio stations and organizations supporting media said. Radio Millat Zhagh and Radio Saangi were closed with three employees arrested from the former one and one official from the later one. Two employees were arrested from two other stations, Radio “Zema” and “Tabasum,” the officials said.
“They have taken away six employees from four radio stations and have warned employees of other radio stations,” Javid Ahmad Tanvir, head of Kandahar Press Club said. However, three of the detained media workers were released.
Employees of Radio Millat Zhagh said they have halted their activities since the radio station was closed. “Forces from the Kandahar intelligence department came to our office, stopped our activities and took away three of our employees,” Bismillah Watandost, head of the radio station said.
“I arrived at the office an hour ago and saw that the doors were sealed off and they had taken three employees with them,” said Mohammad Nasim Omid, an employee at the radio station. Meanwhile, organizations supporting free media urged the Islamic Emirate to resolve issues through discussion with reporters and radio stations.
“We urge the Islamic Emirate to behave properly with the reporters and resolve any problems through dialogue,” said Mohammad Yar Majrooh, head Afghanistan Free Journalists in the south. “They have taken away a reporter of Radio Tabasum and we want them to free our reporter and other reporters immediately,” said Sediq Afghan, head of Radio Tabasum. “They also came to our office and took away the executive officer of Radio Zema,” saod Satar Mahtabi, head of Radio Zema. Kandahar security officials have yet to comment on the issue. Kandahar security officials in a meeting with officials of the local media asked them not to play music on their stations.