Afghanistan
2006
Two Pakistani journalists abducted, released
NOVEMBER 21, 2006 Posted: December 27, 2006 Syed Saleem Shahzad, The Star and Asia Times Online Qamar Yousafzai, freelance ABDUCTED The two Pakistani journalists were seized by Taliban forces and held for five days in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. After their release, Shahzad told reporters that they had been held for entering the province without Taliban…
Three weeks after abduction, photographer released in Afghanistan
New York, November 3, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Italian freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello three weeks after he was taken captive by gunmen in southern Afghanistan. The Italian government confirmed to news agencies Torsello’s release, which was first reported by PeaceReporter, a Web site that works closely with aid agencies in…
Afghanistan: As deadline looms, CPJ urges kidnappers to free journalist
New York, October 20, 2006—Ahead of the deadline set by the kidnappers of an Italian photographer in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists appeals for his immediate safe release. Freelancer Gabriele Torsello was seized by five gunmen October 12. At first, the kidnappers set a deadline of Sunday night for their demands to be met.…
Italian photojournalist, abducted in Afghanistan, still missing
New York, October 16, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the reported abduction of freelance Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello on Thursday. The independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok said Torsello was seized by five gunmen on the highway from Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, to neighboring Kandahar province. Pajhwok said the information…
Afghanistan: CPJ calls for probe into death of two German journalists
New York, October 10, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Afghanistan to intensify their investigation into the shooting deaths of two journalists working for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Germans Karen Fischer, 30, and Christian Struwe, 39, were killed Saturday in the tent they had pitched near a road in northern Afghanistan. The…
Radio station firebombed
AUGUST 11, 2006 Posted: August 25, 2006 Radio Istiqlal ATTACKED Although the station in the province of Loghar south of Kabul did not receive any threats before the attack, police confirmed that a “night letter”—an anonymous warning posted on walls and distributed by hand—appeared in the town a few days before.