📰 Forbidden Stories · 10
FranceRevealed: Unpublished UN Report Implicates Workers on TotalEnergies-led Project in Sexual Exploitation and Mozambique’s Military in Sexual Violence
A leaked UN report obtained by Forbidden Stories reveals allegations of sexual exploitation and violence involving both Mozambican military personnel and workers at the TotalEnergies-led LNG project in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. The report details accusations of rape, sexual abuse, and coercion of local women and girls by both military forces and project employees.
A Campaign of Disappearances: Inside the Killings, Abductions and Surveillance of Mozambique’s Government Critics
Forbidden Stories reports on alleged human rights abuses in Mozambique following the 2024 elections, citing claims that over 400 supporters of opposition leader Mondlane have faced violence, including 55 deaths. The report references an NGO’s findings of thousands detained and injured, along with complaints filed by Mondlane’s team detailing extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and other abuses. The article also discusses the role of 'chefes de quarteirão'—local monitors linked to the ruling party—as part of a strategy to suppress dissent. The Mozambican government did not respond to the
In Mozambique, the Regime Imposes a Blackout on Journalists
Forbidden Stories reports on the growing concerns regarding the lack of accountability and increasing repression of journalists in Mozambique, particularly in the northern region of Cabo Delgado. The article highlights several cases involving local journalists who have disappeared or been harmed, with authorities failing to conduct proper investigations. It also mentions the efforts by the government to restrict media coverage of the ongoing conflict in the area.
“These rapes and videos are a way to silence us”
A 33-year-old Afghan woman recounts her experiences under Taliban rule following their takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. She describes the loss of her career, restrictions on women's rights, including dress codes and the requirement to have a male chaperone, and the banning of women from working in her organization. She also mentions receiving threatening phone calls from what she believes to be a Taliban member and fleeing her region due to fear of being targeted.
Radio silence: An investigation into the governor of Kabul
The article discusses the situation of Jawadi, a journalist and editor-in-chief of Radio Nasim in Afghanistan, who has faced repeated arrests since the Taliban took power in 2021. It highlights the suppression of free speech under Taliban rule, noting that more than 75 journalists have been arrested and hundreds have fled the country. Additionally, it mentions that approximately 95% of women have left journalism due to the restrictive environment.
Ghost Journalists, Cash and Kremlin Scripts: How Russian Operatives Tried To Influence Argentinian Media
Documents from October 2024 suggest that Argentinian authorities began monitoring 'The Company's' activities, including interactions with opposition politicians. In June 2025, government spokesperson Manuel Adorni claimed intelligence services had uncovered a network of Russian spies engaged in disinformation campaigns. Adorni named Russian citizen Lev Konstantinovich as the financier and organizer of local collaborations, with his wife, Irina Iakovenko, involved in content creation, NGO influence, focus group organization, and political intelligence gathering. The Inside r reported on Adorni'
In the Sahel, journalists, activists and NGOs in the crosshairs of Russian agents from “The Company”
Forbidden Stories reports on alleged Russian intelligence operations targeting journalists, activists, and NGOs in the Sahel region through a group referred to as 'The Company.' The article highlights Tournons la Page (TLP), a citizen network operating in 16 African countries, which has been critical of the military coup in Niger. TLP's Niger coordinator, Maikoul Zodi, condemned the coup and warned against foreign interference, including from Russia. The article references internal documents from 'The Company' that outline strategies targeting such groups and mentions Russian efforts to engage
Maintaining friendly powers at all costs: The maneuvers of Russian influence agents in South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar
Forbidden Stories reports that Russian influence agents conducted covert operations in South Africa, Namibia, and Madagascar between 2019 and 2025. These activities included secret meetings with political figures, smear campaigns, and the creation of fake documents to support pro-Russian candidates. Specific examples include interactions with South African ANC officials, disinformation targeting Namibia's IPC party, and efforts to influence Madagascar's president.
Eyes of Iran: How the regime secretly monitors its citizens
The article discusses the development and use of FindFace, a facial recognition software created by the Russian company Ntechlab. It highlights Ntechlab's ties to Russia's military-industrial complex through its parent company Rostec, which reports to the Ministry of Defense and is led by a close associate of Vladimir Putin. The article notes that Ntechlab has been sanctioned by the EU and blacklisted by the US due to its involvement in human rights violations and threats to national security. Despite these sanctions, Ntechlab continues to market its technology, which is reportedly used to监视独立
Inside the Propaganda Unit Sent by Russia to Help the Bolivian President
Forbidden Stories reports that under the authority of Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, a group known as 'the Company' operated in Bolivia between June 2024 and November 2025. According to internal documents obtained by The Continent and shared with Forbidden Stories, the group aimed to influence Bolivia's election outcomes, shape the 2025 general election campaign, and assist then-President Luis Arce in regaining control of the narrative following a failed coup attempt. Seven operatives were sent to La Paz in July 2024, and they reportedly left Bolivia by the end of 2025.