APRIL 1, 2005
Posted: April 11, 2005
Abdul Jabbar Bazar, Aina TV
ATTACKED, THREATENED
Government officials in the city of Shibirghan in the northern Jawzjan Province threatened and attacked reporter Bazar after his story exposing local corruption aired on the private television channel. Local sources tell CPJ that officials threatened to attack Bazar again if he did any further reporting on their activities. Bazar suffered minor injuries.
In an interview with local reporters on April 3, Jawzjan Police Chief Nadir Fahimi confirmed the attack and pledged to arrest those officials responsible. Rural reporters in Afghanistan remained at risk of threats and violent attacks in reprisal for their work. Remote areas of the country were still under the control of warlords, and problems of lawlessness and illegal arms persisted.