Taliban suspend women’s radio station in Afghanistan

KABUL: Afghanistan´s Taliban authorities raided well-known women´s radio station Radio Begum on Tuesday, arresting two employees, the broadcaster said, calling for the speedy release of its staff.

The Taliban information ministry said the station had been suspended for “multiple violations”, in the latest search by the government of local media outlets in Afghanistan.

“Officers from the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) assisted by representatives of the Ministry of Information and Culture raided today Begum´s compound in Kabul,” a statement from the radio station said.

The broadcaster said Taliban authorities searched the office, seizing computers, hard drives and phones, and detaining two male employees “who do not hold any senior management position”.

It said it would not provide further comment, fearing for the security of the detained employees, and asked that the authorities “take care of our colleagues and release them as soon as possible”.

The Taliban information ministry said the station had been suspended, in a statement on social media site X.

“Besides multiple violations, it was providing materials and programmes to a TV station based abroad,” it said.

“Due to the violation of the broadcasting policy and improper use of the license (from the ministry), the radio station was suspended today so that the related documents can be carefully evaluated and the final decision can be taken,” it added. Radio Begum said it has never been involved in any political activity and was “committed to serving the Afghan people and more specifically the Afghan women”.