Two Afghan journalists working for a local news channel were arrested by the Taliban on Tuesday, according to rights groups and the UN, weeks after two women activists went missing.
Since taking power in August, hardline Islamists have repressed dissent by detaining opponents and violently dispersing anti-government protests.
Several Afghan journalists have also been assaulted while reporting unofficial rallies.
The Taliban kidnapped Ariana TV reporters Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab on Monday, according to the Afghan Media Association, a newly created journalists’ rights organization.
Without mentioning the Taliban, an Ariana official told AFP that the reporters were kidnapped by masked gunmen as they stepped out for lunch in front of the channel’s office.
Taliban leaders, he claimed, “have guaranteed us of a thorough probe.”
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is equally concerned about their location.
