Hamid Farhadi, a journalist who had been imprisoned by the Taliban on charges of cooperating with the Etilaatroz newspaper, was released from the group’s custody today (Thursday, 22 Asad), after serving two years in prison.
A member of Farhadi’s family confirmed his release from Bagram prison.
Farhadi was arrested in Kabul on September 3, 2024, by forces from the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior.
On September 19, a Taliban court sentenced him to two years in prison on charges of “propaganda” against the Taliban and cooperation with Etilaatroz.
The journalist was initially held at Pul-e-Charkhi prison. In March 2025, the Taliban transferred him to Bagram prison.
During the two years of his imprisonment, Farhadi’s family was allowed to visit him only once a month, for 30 minutes.
Since retaking power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have repeatedly arrested and imprisoned journalists. The group has criminalized cooperation with media outlets operating in exile and has sentenced several journalists to prison on such charges.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center recently reported that at least four journalists and media workers remain in Taliban prisons.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
