human rights defender

Jihadmal Habibi

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

  • Legal and professional support to resume Rasa Television’s operations
  • Protection from further harassment or re-arrest by Taliban authorities
  • Advocacy and monitoring by international media and human rights organizations to ensure safety and press freedom

HRD's year of birth

1995

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Journalist/Blogger

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Other

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Jihadmal Habibi is a reporter for Rasa Television, a private Afghan broadcaster based in Kabul that was founded in 2019 and produced social and daily news reports. He worked on independent journalism, covering news and issues of public interest, despite the increasingly restrictive media environment in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Detained since

Feb 18, 2025

Date of release

Dec 14, 2025

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda

Sentence

None officially. He was arbitrarily detained for 10 months without formal charges or a judgement.

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Kabul, Afghanistan

Location of detention - Facility

Bagram Prison

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Jihadmal Habibi was arbitrarily detained without legal representation, and Rasa TV’s office and equipment were confiscated. His case reflects the broader harassment and repression of journalists under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Recent case update / evolution

Jihadmal Habibi was released on December 14, 2025, after 10 months of arbitrary detention by the Taliban. His trial lacked legal representation, and Rasa Television remains closed with its equipment confiscated.

Any other relevant documents

https://8am.media/eng/afghanistan-journalists-center-reports-release-of-two-journalists-from-taliban-custody/

https://www.afintl.com/202512150140

https://rsf.org/en/tv-channel-raid-arrests-website-blocking-taliban-offensive-against-afghan-media

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