Ex-BBC journalist among nine western hostages ‘kidnapped by the Taliban’
Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to the Daily Star’s newsletter
A former BBC journalist is among a group of nine foreigners kidnapped by the Taliban in the last few months, according to reports.
The former Vice President of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh says UN Worker and ex-reporter Andrew North is among nine western hostages taken in recent months.
He tweeted: "Due to no media, no reporting by citizens and a suffocating atmosphere of corruption, crime and atrocities aren't well exposed.
"As an example nine citizens of western countries have been kidnapped amongst them Andrew North of BBC & Peter Juvenal owner of Gandomak Restaurant.
"Talibans are liars."
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed to The Mirror that two journalists have been detained in Kabul and UNHCR are working to "resolve the issue".
Claims of the captivity were confirmed by Afghanistan media, with one tweeting: "Former BBC journalist Andrew North have been kidnapped by the Taliban. Sources confirmed to AFIntl that the number of foreigners kidnapped by the Taliban had reached 9."
The Taliban have yet to comment on the alleged abductions.
A spokesman for UNHCR said: "Two journalists on assignment with UNHCR and Afghan nationals working with them have been detained in Kabul."
Mark Zuckerberg given blunt warning by France over threat to shut down Facebook in Europe
The statement continued: "We are doing our utmost to resolve the situation, in coordination with others. We will make no further comment given the nature of the situation.
Mr North described his recent trips to Afghan provinces and his meetings with Taliban leaders in an article posted to his personal website.
He said that the reality of life in Afghanistan is "more complex" than media reports currently show.
He added: "The group once dubbed 'Islamic Maoists' has not been quite as ruthless as many feared – so far.
"That came through clearly during several weeks in the fall I spent travelling around Afghanistan, meeting various Taliban figures and seeing the results in daily life. "
- Taliban
Source: Read Full Article