Nai in Exile, an organization supporting Afghan journalists and media outlets, has expressed concern over the recent detention of several journalists by the Taliban and called for their immediate release.
In a statement, the organization urged the United Nations and the European Union to take action to secure the unconditional release of detained journalists.
According to the statement, Mansoor Niazi and Omran Danish of TOLOnews, along with Jawid Niazi, head of the Paygard News Agency, were recently detained by Taliban authorities.
The organization called on the United Nations political mission and the European Union office in Afghanistan to engage with Taliban officials and help facilitate the journalists’ release.
Nai described the detention of journalists as a “repeated practice” under Taliban rule and claimed that nearly 400 journalists and media workers have been detained over the past five years.
According to the statement, at least six journalists are currently being held in Taliban prisons.
The organization also alleged that Taliban authorities detain an average of at least three journalists or media workers every two weeks.
The Taliban have not yet publicly commented on the arrests or any possible accusations against the detained journalists.
Earlier reports said Mansoor Niazi was detained on 17 Sawr in Kabul’s Karte Char area and transferred to an unknown location.
TOLOnews has also confirmed the detention of two of its journalists.
At the same time, the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders ranked Afghanistan 175th out of 180 countries, reflecting a drop of 53 positions over the past five years.
Media advocates warn that continued pressure on journalists and broad restrictions on media activity are placing freedom of expression and public access to information under severe threat in Afghanistan.
Analysts say the growing number of journalist detentions suggests that media restrictions are becoming increasingly institutionalized rather than isolated incidents.
