Tasnim Photojournalist Handed Over to Embassy in Kabul
TEHRAN -- An Iranian
photojournalist recently taken into custody by the Taliban-run government in Afghanistan has been released and handed over to officials at the Iranian embassy in Kabul.
Taliban deputy spokesman Bilal Karimi confirmed on Saturday the release of Muhammad Hussein Velayati of Tehran-based Tasnim news agency, but he is reportedly still banned from leaving the embassy.
Velayati legally entered Afghanistan through the air border and stayed in Kabul for 10 days. He was arrested at Kabul International Airport in the Afghan capital shortly before boarding a return flight home last Saturday.
Taliban authorities did not provide any explanation on the circumstances of his arrest.
“Intensive diplomatic and consular efforts are underway to return home Mr. Muhammad Hussein Velayati, the photographer of Tasnim news agency,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday in a post on X.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani had earlier said that Iran’s diplomatic apparatus was pursuing his release in cooperation with the relevant Afghan authorities.
Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan when U.S.-led foreign forces withdrew after a 20-year conflict.
The Taliban continues to struggle with the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in the country amid crippling U.S. sanctions and a shortage of funds.
Afghans say Washington has started a dangerous economic war against them.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has frozen over $7 billion in Afghan assets since its troops withdrew from the country.
The sanctions have pushed Afghanistan’s economy to the brink of collapse, as 97 percent of Afghans live in poverty. Afghan people and international bodies have been calling for the release of frozen funds that has spawned a humanitarian crisis in the landlocked country.
“Intensive diplomatic and consular efforts are underway to return home Mr. Muhammad Hussein Velayati, the photographer of Tasnim news agency,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday in a post on X.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani had earlier said that Iran’s diplomatic apparatus was pursuing his release in cooperation with the relevant Afghan authorities.
Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan when U.S.-led foreign forces withdrew after a 20-year conflict.
The Taliban continues to struggle with the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in the country amid crippling U.S. sanctions and a shortage of funds.
Afghans say Washington has started a dangerous economic war against them.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has frozen over $7 billion in Afghan assets since its troops withdrew from the country.
The sanctions have pushed Afghanistan’s economy to the brink of collapse, as 97 percent of Afghans live in poverty. Afghan people and international bodies have been calling for the release of frozen funds that has spawned a humanitarian crisis in the landlocked country.