News Center- The Taliban authorities raided and shut down Afghanistan’s only women's radio station Radio Begum on Tuesday, arresting two employees.

“Officers from the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) assisted by representatives of the Ministry of Information and Culture raided Radio Begum in Kabul today,” the radio station said in a statement on Tuesday.

“They seized computers, hard drives, files and phones from Begum staff, including Begum female journalists, and took into custody two male employees of the organization who do not hold any senior management position.”

The radio station demanding the release of its employees also said that it would not provide further comment, fearing for the security of the detained employees.

 In a statement, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) strongly condemned the closure of the radio station by the Ministry of Information and Culture, emphasizing that the closure of Radio Begum is a violation against the media and the continuation of the Taliban's repressive policies.

18 media outlets were shut down by the Taliban in 2024, according to the Afghanistan Journalists Center.

The Afghan Journalists Support Organization (AJSO) also issued a statement, condemning the closure of the radio station. “This is an attempt to silence different voices in the country,” said the statement, calling on the Taliban authorities to respect the principles of freedom of expression.

Radio Begum was founded on March 8, International Women's Day, 2021, aiming to provide education to Afghan girls and support to Afghan women.