At about 7pm on 17 April 2007, Police from the 10th District Police Station raided the offices of Tolo TV, assaulting Tolo TV staff and detaining 3 staff before public pressure caused the staff members to be released within the hour. The Attorney-General of Afghanistan, Abdul Jabar Sabet, ordered the arrest of a Tolo TV staff member after he claimed that he was misquoted in a press conference.

We have uploaded some videos of the incident.

Tolo TV denies that the Attorney-General was misquoted, because what he actually said was broadcast, in his own words. See original Tolo TV news report here with English subtitles and judge for yourself.

In any event, Tolo TV believes that such a violent response is unwarranted, which response itself has breached many laws of Afghanistan, including provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan.

In the first video clip, you will see Police entering Tolo TV premises and trying to force their way inside the second gate. You will also see Police attack and detain staff, although camerapersons were also attacked during the scuffle and later one tape of Tolo TV was confiscated. Tolo TV has commenced legal steps to bring to justice all those who have breached the laws of Afghanistan, including the Attorney-General and key advisors, the Commander of District 10 Police and his staff members and all others involved in this incident who breached the law. Unfortunatley, under Afghan law, all complaints of a criminal nature end up back with the Attorney-General's office to deal with.

The second video is of Sediq Ahmadzada, the Tolo TV administration manager, who was violently arrested and subsequently released without charge.

Raid and arrest Video

Sediq Ahmadzada after release