The managing director of Asia TV was shot outside his house in Kabul’s Karta-e-Now region. According to the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), Ataee was likely targeted because of a popular series of investigative reports into the petroleum industry. According to police, two men were arrested in connection with the case and a weapon has been recovered. One of the men is Ataee’s brother-in-law, the other a deputy for the Kabul oil and petroleum department. Ataee’s oldest son told the AIJA that he believes the murder was an attempt to pressure Asia TV into closing down.