Body of journalist found in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district

KABUL (Pajhwok): Young writer and journalist Bashir Ahmad Reyan’s body was found in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province, the Khabaryal Website chief editor said on Tuesday.

A student of the Kandahar University, Reyan wrote more than 20 books and occasionally contributed articles to Khabaryal -- an online media outlet offering latest news, features.

Shafiq Reyan, the victim’s brother, told Pajhwok Afghan News the upcoming writer had been tortured in different ways, including electric shocks, before he was murdered.

After his final exams, Bashir wanted to go home but went missing on the way. He accused police of killing his brother. Police had previously confirmed having his brother in custody.

Shafiq said police did not give them any information except saying that they had evacuated the body of his brother to hospital. Earlier, police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq’s secretary had claimed Bashir was in their custody.

Kandahar police and the governor’s office said they had no information about the incident. But a source, who wished to go unnamed, said that Reyan cooperated with Taliban’s website Al Emara -- a charge rejected by his family.

Shafiq said his brother faced severe financial problems and was unable to meet his universityexpenses. If he had links with the Taliban, his financial position would have been stable, he argued.

The last time Bashir came to the university, Shafiq said, he give his brother 15,000 afghanis to buy a laptop. The writer would translate books to meet pay his university fee and other expenses.

nh/mud