The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghan journalist Hamid Farhadi has been released from Taliban custody after nearly two years in prison, the Afghanistan Media Support Organization said Thursday.
Farhadi was arrested by Taliban authorities on Sept. 3, 2024, according to the organization. He was later sentenced by a Taliban court to two years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the system” and cooperation with media outlets operating in exile.
Farhadi was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison before being transferred to Bagram prison in March 2025, according to reports cited by the organization.
During his detention, Farhadi’s family was reportedly permitted to visit him once a month for 30 minutes and only in the presence of a Taliban guard.
The Afghanistan Media Support Organization welcomed his release and congratulated Farhadi, his family and Afghanistan’s media community. It called on the Taliban to release all remaining journalists and media workers held in detention without conditions and to end what it described as mistreatment of media workers.
The organization said freedom of thought and expression is a fundamental right and that the detention and pressure of journalists because of their professional activities violate international laws and standards.
