One day after Taliban forces entered the headquarters of Tamadon TV in Kabul and suspended the channel’s broadcasts, officials of Tamadon TV announced that “unknown individuals” were in the process of transferring the network’s equipment, assets, and property. The network did not provide further details regarding the identity of those individuals.
On Wednesday, 3 Saratan (June 23), Tamadon TV issued a statement saying that any seizure, transfer, removal, or interference with the assets and property of the media outlet has no legal basis and may constitute unlawful appropriation of property.
The statement emphasized that the building in question also contains private residential units, and that the property and belongings of its residents must be respected and protected from any harm or interference.
Tamadon TV also warned that in the event of any damage, destruction, loss, unlawful transfer, or harm to the network’s assets or the personal property within the building, legal responsibility would lie with the Ministry of Interior and other affiliated Taliban institutions.
The network had also announced the previous day that Taliban forces, after entering the headquarters of Tamadon TV in Kabul, had halted its broadcasting. According to one of the media outlet’s officials, security forces affiliated with the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice entered the office around 12 noon, suspended the channel’s operations, and treated staff in a manner involving insults and humiliation.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the actions of Ministry of Justice forces in entering the Tamadon TV office and suspending the media outlet’s activities. The organization stated that such actions reflect the continued restrictions on independent media, the narrowing of minority voices, and the weakening of freedom of expression in the country.
Tamadon TV was founded in 2006 (1385 in the Afghan calendar) in Kabul by Mohammad Asif Mohseni, the former leader of the Islamic Movement of Afghanistan party. In addition to news broadcasting, the channel aired religious and theological programs, as well as films and series with Islamic content for its audience.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
