human rights defender

Shakib Ahmad Nazari

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

Legal assistance (Lawyer) Medical care Access to family visits Psychosocial support

HRD's year of birth

1994

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Journalist/Blogger

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

In prison (sentenced)

HRD's bio and work

Shakib Ahmad Nazari is an Afghan journalist and media worker who has collaborated with several international outlets, including Japanese television (NTV) and other global media. He has reported on human rights, women’s issues, and political developments in Afghanistan, and also worked as a freelance contributor to international news organizations.

Detained since

Jul 24, 2025

Date of release

Sep 1, 2026

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda
  • Other

Sentence

The Taliban have sentenced Shakib Nazari to three years in prison on charges of cooperating with a Japanese media outlet

Latitude: 34.53123342296526

Longitude: 69.19562174160149

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

Directorate 40 of General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI)

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Shakib Ahmad Nazari has reportedly been forced to appear in a video “confessing” to sharing reports on women’s protests and human rights. He has had no access to communication with his family or a lawyer, and was reportedly coerced into speaking on camera. These conditions raise serious concerns about his treatment in Taliban custody.

The Taliban have tortured this journalist and do not even allow his friends to visit him.

Recent case update / evolution

Shakib Ahmad Nazari has been detained by the Taliban since July 24, 2025. He was initially held by the morality police and later transferred to Taliban intelligence in Kabul. A video of his alleged “confession” about sharing reports on women’s protests and human rights was released and quickly deleted. International organizations like CPJ and IFJ have condemned his detention and called for his immediate release.

Any other relevant documents

https://cpj.org/2025/08/taliban-detains-afghan-journalist-who-reports-for-japanese-media/

https://amu.tv/193914/

https://www.theexile.tv/en/news_letter/1344/Afghanistan/18

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