Abdolvahed Hakimi, a Fars News Agency reporter, has been arrested in Afghanistan on a charge of “exposing a secret government document to Iran.”
The Afghanistan National Security office announced on Sunday that the reporter was under arrest but refrained from providing any further details.
The Fars News Agency confirmed that Hakimi was arrested and taken to an unknown location.
The agency quoted Hakimi’s wife saying that her husband had telephoned on Saturday night and, in a “limited and controlled phone call”, informed his family of his arrest.
Last month, a spokesman for Afghanistan National Security announced that the Fars News Agency and Press TV, the English-language network of the Islamic Republic, had opened offices in Afghanistan without acquiring the proper permits from the ministries of foreign affairs, intelligence and culture.
He also accused a number of domestic media outlets in Afghanistan of working in the interests of Iran and Pakistan.
The Fars News Agency said in February, however, that the Afghan Foreign Ministry in coordination with National Security had said the agency could continue its media activities until its permit arrives.
