The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), in condemning a brutal attack on senior journalist Abdul Razaq Mamoon on the evening of January 18.

Reports from the AIJA indicate that Mamoon was entering his home in the Microrayon-3 area of Kabul when he was attacked by a lone assailant who sprayed acid on his face and fled. Police reportedly found knives and other lethal weapons left by the attacker as he fled.

Mamoon was hospitalised with serious burn injuries to his face, though his vision and other vital functions are unimpaired.

“The IFJ condemns this vicious attack and joins the AIJA in demanding an open inquiry to immediately bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

Mamoon, formerly a well-known news anchor on Afghan television, is a regular political analyst on talk shows and the founder and director of the recently established news agency Bost-e-Bastan. A book that he published recently brings together the results of a number of journalistic investigations that he has conducted on neighbouring Iran’s role in destabilising Afghanistan. He reportedly claimed in an interview with a private Afghan TV network that Iran is involved in the attack on him.

AIJA president Rahimullah Samander expressed shock and sadness at the attack, which he said “shows that Afghan journalists and media workers are in extreme danger as they pursue their duty to report impartially and in the public interest.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

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