Taliban detains Iranian photojournalist Mohammad Hossein Velayati in Afghanistan
New York, August 22, 2023 — Taliban authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Iranian photojournalist Mohammad Hossein Velayati and cease harassing members of the press in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On August 19, Taliban authorities detained Velayati, a photographer for Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, at Kabul International Airport before he…
Iranian documentary filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlou detained in Evin Prison
Washington, D.C., August 21, 2023—Iranian authorities must immediately release documentary filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlou and cease jailing members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Sunday, August 20, Illanlou responded to a summons from Tehran’s intelligence police. When she arrived at the police headquarters, authorities arrested her and transferred…
Egyptian journalist Karim Asaad’s whereabouts unknown following arrest
New York, August 20, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release journalist Karim Asaad following his arrest on Saturday, August 19. “By arresting Karim Asaad, the Egyptian government has once again demonstrated its shameful dedication to cracking down on independent journalism and press freedom in the country,” said…
Senegalese journalist Abdou Khadre Sakho detained on false news allegations
Dakar, August 15, 2023—In response to the detention Tuesday of Senegalese journalist Abdou Khadre Sakho for allegedly spreading false news, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for his release: “Senegalese authorities should immediately release Abdou Khadre Sakho and drop all legal proceedings against him and other journalists being targeted for their…
Zimbabwean reporter Columbus Mavhunga faces jail over drone reporting
Lusaka, August 2, 2023—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop illegal drone-flying charges against reporter Columbus Mavhunga and ensure that journalists can freely carry out their work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 23, police arrested Mavhunga, a correspondent for the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), after a…
Sri Lankan police arrest, beat journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara
New York, July 28, 2023—Sri Lankan authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara and investigate allegations that he was beaten by police, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At around 3 p.m. on Friday, July 28, police arrested Uduwaragedara after he covered a trade union protest in Borella, a suburb of the…
Iranian journalist Seyed Mostafa Jaffari arrested on false news charges
Washington, D.C., July 24, 2023 — Iranian authorities must release journalist Seyed Mostafa Jaffari from prison immediately and stop jailing members of the press for reporting on issues of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Monday, July 24, security forces arrested Jaffari in the central city of Qazvin on charges filed…
Botswana intelligence agents detain 2 journalists overnight
Lusaka, July 21, 2023 – In response to the detention on Thursday, July 20, of Botswana journalists Ryder Gabathuse and Innocent Selatlhwa by agents of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The brazen detentions of Botswanan journalists Ryder Gabathuse and Innocent Selatlhwa and…
Journalist Omed Baroshky arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan
Beirut, July 21, 2023 – Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately disclose the whereabouts of journalist Omed Baroshky and ensure journalists are not arrested for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On the evening of Thursday, July 20, Asayish security forces raided Baroshky’s home in the northwest city of Duhok and arrested him,…
Taliban intelligence forces detain Afghan journalist Irfanullah Baidar
New York, July 21, 2023 — The Taliban must immediately release journalist Irfanullah Baidar and stop detaining members of the press in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 12, officers with the Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence stopped Baidar near the Eidgah Mosque in the eastern city of Jalalabad, covered his head with a sack, and forced him into a vehicle, according to news reports and…