AFGHANISTAN: Afghan journalists protest over Taliban killing of journalist and translator Ajmal Naqshbandi

Afghan journalists call for a week's boycott of Taliban related news after the militant Islamist group killed abducted journalist and translator Ajmal Naqshbandi. Afghan journalists gathered outside the parliament building in Kabul on Monday (April 9) to protest against the killing of freelance journalist and translator Ajmal Naqshbandi by the Taliban. Speaking at the protest, Afghan human rights spokesman Nadir Nadiry condemned Naqshbandi's murder on Sunday (April 8), saying: "We strongly condemn the murder of Ajmal Naqshbandi, a brutal killing by the Taliban, at the same time we call this killing a brutal and inhuman action by the Taliban." Afghan Journalists Association Chairman Fazil Sangcharaki called for a media ban on reporting Taliban news. He declared: "We boycott for a week, and will not write news relating to the Taliban. All media, local and international, should avoid writing Taliban related news." Newly married Naqshbandi, Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo and his driver were kidnapped by the Taliban early last month. The Taliban freed Mastrogiacomo, a reporter for the newspaper La Repubblica, after about two weeks when Kabul released five of senior Taliban members. The swap took place after the group beheaded Mastrogiacomo's driver, but the rebels held on to his translator to try to win the release of more of their men. A spokesman for the Taliban commander holding Naqshbandi said he was beheaded on Sunday after the government refused to free several insurgent prisoners. Government officials later confirmed the man was killed. An Afghan newspaper on Monday said the Afghan government should execute Taliban prisoners. Arman-e-Millie said in an editorial: "Martyring Ajmal Naqshbandi and their other crimes happen as the government shows extreme leniency towards the Taliban prisoners." It added: "There has been no implementation of punishment for any criminal and killer Taliban who has been sentenced to heavy punishment by the judicial authorities. From now on, criminal Taliban should be executed." Another daily, Cheragh, criticised the government for failing to free Naqshbandi but going ahead with a deal to secure Mastrogiacomo's freedom and save Italy's fragile government from embarrassment. "Mr. Karzai, no doubt, you managed to save the Italian government from falling. But with regret, you could not save the life of an Afghan and someone who had voted for you," it said. A group representing Afghan journalists said the execution has sparked fear among local reporters of covering areas where the Taliban are active. The deal for Mastrogiacomo's release was widely criticised in Italy and Afghanistan. Security experts warned it would trigger more abductions of foreigners. The Taliban are also holding five Afghan health officials and have demanded the release of more rebels.

ITN Source | April 9, 2007

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