Taliban intelligence forces have detained Omran Danish and Mansoor Niazi, two journalists affiliated with Afghanistan’s TOLOnews network.
TOLOnews confirmed the detentions and said Taliban authorities informed the media outlet that details regarding the incident would be shared following what they described as “legal reviews.”
Earlier reports had indicated that Mansoor Niazi was detained on Thursday, 17 Sawr, from Kabul’s Karte Char area and transferred to an unknown location.
TOLOnews initially published the incident using the term “arrest,” but later removed the report and republished it after replacing the word with “detention” or “custody,” a change that has drawn attention among media observers.
The Taliban have not yet officially explained the reasons behind the detention of the two journalists.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, TOLOnews has continued operating while significantly adjusting its editorial and broadcasting approach in line with Taliban media regulations and restrictions.
Previously, TOLOnews director Faridullah Mohammadi had stated that the “relative freedom” of Afghan media was unmatched in the region.
The detentions come shortly after Taliban intelligence forces reportedly arrested Ahmad Jawid Niazi, head of the Paygard News Agency, in Kabul. No information regarding his whereabouts or condition has yet been released.
The continued detention of journalists and media workers has intensified concerns about freedom of expression, journalist safety, and the future of independent media in Afghanistan.
Media rights advocates warn that legal ambiguity, security pressure, and growing self-censorship are steadily narrowing the space for independent journalism across the country.
