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The broadcaster was named in a 2024 Read report on alleged misinformation targeting the Taliban, while UK corporate filings record historical Saudi and offshore control and a major financial restructuring.
Afghanistan International, a London-based Persianand Dari-language news broadcaster that is part of the Volant Media group, has come under renewed scrutiny over its ownership and financing after publishing a report alleging that India is financing the Taliban’s purchase of Belarusian drones.
The outlet, which covers Afghanistan and the wider region, was named more than two years earlier in a Sunday Guardian report on allegations of a misinformation campaign targeting the Taliban government.
The 30 September report by Afghanistan International alleged that the Taliban was purchasing weapons and drones from Belarus through India, with Russia’s consent. The report attributed the claims to five sources, including former Afghan security officials. The allegation has not been independently established through publicly available contracts, payment records or authenticated procurement documents.
In July 2024, Read published a report headlined “Misinformation campaigns targeting Taliban govt, alleges Kabul report”, naming Afghanistan International Television among several Afghan media organisations allegedly involved in a campaign against the Taliban administration.
The report attributed the allegations to findings by Kabul-based agencies, which claimed that a network of Afghan media outlets was receiving financial support from intelligence agencies and disseminating information intended to weaken the Taliban administration and destabilise Afghanistan. Other outlets named included Hasht-eSubh Daily, 8AM Media, Radio Azadi, Etilaatroz, Kabul Press and Amu News.
The earlier allegations provide context for examining the broadcaster’s ownership and financing alongside its latest reporting.
Taliban authorities in Kabul have also repeatedly expressed concerns about what they view as attempts by external actors to influence Afghan public opinion through media organisations operating outside the country. Sources in Kabul said these concerns extend beyond Pakistan to entities based in the United States and the United Kingdom.
They said the Taliban administration believes such activities are being undertaken to undermine its international engagement, particularly its developing relations with India and Russia.
Afghanistan International is part of the Volant Media group, which also operates Iran International. Companies House records identify Volant Media UK Ltd as an active company incorporated on 16 December 2015. Its declared business activity includes television programming and broadcasting.
Records list Adel Abdulkarim Alabdulkarim as the company’s current person with significant control, on the basis of his right to appoint or remove directors.
Historical control records show that Fahad Ibrahim Aldeghither, a Saudi national resident in Saudi Arabia, held 75 per cent or more of the company’s shares and voting rights from May 2016 until May 2018. Info-Cast Cayman Limited, registered in the Cayman Islands, was also recorded as holding 75 per cent or more of Volant Media UK Ltd’s shares from May 2016 until March 2019.
The historical records establish links to both a Saudi individual and an offshore company.
The ownership structure subsequently underwent further changes. Corporate records dated December 2025 show a major share allotment by Volant Media UK Ltd.
The company’s reported total share capital following the allotment was £648,186,855. The restructuring took place against a background of substantial accumulated losses and liabilities to related entities.
Volant’s financial position at the end of 2024 included reported accumulated losses of more than £410 million over five years and approximately £482 million owed to related entities.
The restructuring in December 2025 involved approximately £650 million in debt relief through a debt-for-equity swap, under which existing liabilities were converted into equity.
The increase in share capital does not mean that an equivalent amount of new cash entered the business, significantly, the relevant share-allotment filing does not identify the recipients of the newly allotted shares.
The offshore company’s corporate connections are also relevant to the ownership investigation. Saleh Hussain Aldowais has been identified as the sole director of Info-Cast Cayman Limited. He has also been identified as the chief operating officer of Saudi Research and Media Group, a major Saudi media organisation.
Volant has maintained that it is editorially independent and has denied receiving government funding