Press Releases

Internews Concerned About Detention of Journalist by Afghan Police

David Trilling /Internews Afghanistan's media face a number of challenges. Here, journalists practice interviewing techniques at an Internews training workshop.

(July 5, 2007) Internews Network wishes to express concern about the detention of journalist Kamran Mir Hazar by the Afghan NDS, a police agency, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Hazar, a staff member of the Salaam Watander (Hello My Compatriots) national news radio program, and chief editor of KabulPress.org news site, was picked up yesterday by three plainclothes NDS officers in front of the Internews Kabul office at 10.45 AM.

NDS has confirmed that they picked up Hazar for questioning and have him in custody, but have declined to discuss the nature of their investigation. NDS assured Internews they would release Hazar after 30 minutes of questioning; however, as of this writing he has been in custody for over 24 hours with no phone contact and no legal representation. No criminal charges have been announced against him.

Internews has not been in contact with Hazar since midday July 4. NDS representatives have given contradictory information regarding the motive and duration of Hazar’s detention.

Internews is deeply concerned that Hazar has been illegally detained. Hazar has been denied legal representation during questioning. Internews understands that in Afghanistan illegal arrest and detention is a crime in certain circumstances and may also give rise to the right to civil damages.

Internews, along with the Afghan media sector, is working with human rights and international agencies to urge NDS and the government of Afghanistan to release Hazar, and to follow legitimate legal processes when investigating issues around freedom of information and the reputation of government officials.

Hazar is among the mostly Afghan staff of Internews in Afghanistan who produce the daily national news and entertainment program, Salaam Watandar.

Since 2002, Internews Network has set up 28 independent radio stations owned and operated by Afghan organizations; provided equipment and training to local journalists; produced independent radio content with local journalists; and established a satellite distribution system for radio programming that reaches a majority of the population. This work is primarily funded by a grant to Internews from the US Agency for International Development.