Franco-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi, detained since January in Afghanistan, has been released, announces Reporters Without Borders

The journalist, who notably collaborated with the France Télévisions editorial staff as a fixer and interpreter, was acquitted and then released from prison on Wednesday. He should return to France by the end of the week.

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Franco-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi, October 16, 2020, in Lorient (Morbihan).  (QUEMENER YVES-MARIE / MAXPPP)

Franco-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi, who had been detained since January 7 in Afghanistan, was released on Wednesday October 18 after being acquitted, announced the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF). “Taliban justice has just ordered the release of journalist Mortaza Behboudi, after 284 days of detention in Kabul!”announced RSF on the social network.

“At a hearing at the Kabul Criminal Court today, judges acquitted him of all offenses, including espionage, ‘illegal support for foreigners’ and assistance in crossing borders abroad.explains RSF in a press release. The journalist was immediately released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul. He should return to France by the end of the week. “With the release of Mortaza, light has returned to my world and life can now begin again”welcomed his wife, Aleksandra Mostovaja, quoted in the RSF press release.

Originally from Afghanistan but a refugee in France, Mortaza Behboudi, 29, went to his native country on January 5 for a report and was arrested on the 7th, while he was preparing to collect his press accreditation. His arrest, made public by RSF a month later, provoked a strong mobilization of the French media in favor of his release. The journalist has notably collaborated, as a fixer or interpreter, with France Télévisions, TV5 Monde, Arte, Radio France, Mediapart, Release Or The cross.


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