Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan has been experiencing serious human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of expression and the press. The radical Islamic terrorist organization has raided news media and persecuted, intimidated, and arrested journalists.  

Among them is Mortaza Behboudi, a journalist with French and Afghan citizenship. Behboudi had entered Afghanistan on January 5, 2023. Less than 48 hours later, when he went to pick up his press accreditation, he was arrested and detained by the Taliban. The official accusation was espionage. After 284 days in prison, he was released on October 18, 2023. The organization Reporters without Borders lobbied the Taliban for the journalist’s release. "The media coverage saved me," says Behboudi. Watch Mortaza Behboudi’s story now!

#changemakers #afghanistan #freedomfighters

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Timestamps
0:00 Kidnapped by the Taliban – Intro
1:04 The Hurdles of Journalism in Afghanistan
2:55 The Arrest of Mortaza Behboudi
5:30 Solidarity Event at the Dissident Club
7:28 Letters from Prison
9:54 Good News

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About Reports of Resistance:
From the streets of Kabul to Minsk, from the suppressed voices in Tehran to the fearless fighters in Myeik and Mogadishu. Reports of Resistance shows activists and journalists who have been threatened or imprisoned because of their strive of justice. Along with relatives, colleagues and friends, these dissidents tell their stories of oppression and their continuing struggle against dictatorial regimes and terrorist militias.
This video series was created by Team 34 of Axel Springer Academy of Journalism & Technology.

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