How Afghan Elites go after the free press

Hi there,

I lost at court and facing more costs. Tired and exhausted. Still need your support.

Emran

Update, November 21st, 2024:

Hi there,

Thank you so much for the incredible support you’ve shown so far—I truly appreciate it. Apologies for my silence in recent weeks; things have become overwhelming. Here’s an update on what has happened during the past months:

Mir Rahman Rahmani and Ajmal Rahmani filed another lawsuit, in this case regarding my crowdfunding campaign, and they were successful, which required me to modify the campaign description. This legal action also led to additional expenses.

Additionally, Ajmal Rahmani’s and Mir Rahman Rahmani’s lawyers sent me another letter asking me to sign a declaration to formally accept the court’s decision, which they indicated would avoid further legal action.

Continuing this lawsuit through main proceedings (referred to as "Hauptsacheverfahren" in Germany) could extend the process over several months (heavy additional costs and almost no time to work as a freelancer) but it would also allow me the chance to present all relevant evidence in court. For this reason, I decided not to sign any final declaration at this time.

For now, I’m preparing to continue reporting on this case and, if necessary, to pursue further legal steps. Thank you for staying engaged, and your support remains invaluable as this situation develops.

Update, March 2025:

I have been working on a major investigation for months, covering all expenses myself, while also facing rising legal costs. Additionally, I have experienced ongoing intimidation, including being followed online and targeted with misleading claims. A 'file' has even been compiled about me, which I believe contains heavy inaccuracies and contradictions. These tactics appear aimed not only at draining me financially but also at damaging my reputation. Working under these conditions is challenging—but I remain committed to continuing my work. To do that, and to survive as an independent journalist, I need further support.