(Kabul, March 25, 2014) – In an open letter, Human Rights Watch extends deepest sympathies to the Afghan journalist community for the horrific killing last week of Sardar Ahmad, a senior correspondent with Agence France Presseand the founder of Pressistan.
Sardar and his family were dining at Kabul's Serena Hotel on March 21, 2014, to celebrate the Afghan New Year, when the hotel was attacked by four gunmen who shot dead nine guests, including Sardar, his wife, Humaira, and two of their children, Nilofar, 6, and Omar, 5. Their third child, Abuzar, 2, was also shot and remains in critical condition. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The attack on the Serena Hotel that killed Sardar, his family members, and other guests was savage and unlawful,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “The Taliban and other insurgent groups need to end all attacks targeting civilians.”
