Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
International

Taliban Says It Released Canadian Hostage On Humanitarian Grounds

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jan, 2016 11:33 AM
  • Taliban Says It Released Canadian Hostage On Humanitarian Grounds
A Canadian man held hostage by the Taliban for five years was freed for humanitarian reasons, his captors claimed Tuesday, as dramatic details of his release emerged.
 
Colin Rutherford was on a private vacation in Afghanistan when he was seized by the Taliban in November 2010.
 
His release was abruptly announced on Monday in a brief statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion, who would only say that efforts to free Rutherford had involved the government of Qatar.
 
The Taliban confirmed Qatar's involvement in a statement released Tuesday, but also elaborated on why Rutherford had been let go.
 
It said Rutherford was freed "on grounds of humanitarian sympathy and sublime Islamic ethics."
 
The Taliban statement also said Rutherford had been detained in Afghanistan's northeastern Ghazni province.
 
The Canadian Embassy in Kabul has not yet revealed Rutherford's current whereabouts and it wasn't immediately clear if he had been flown out of Afghanistan.
 
But an Afghani official divulged a few details of Rutherford's release a day after it took place.
 
Police chief Gen. Aminullah Amarkhil said it involved a helicopter landing to scoop Rutherford to freedom as fighter jets flew overhead.
 
Amarkhil added that Rutherford had been released at 11 a.m. on Monday in Ghazni province's remote Giro district.
 
The involvement of Qatar in Rutherford's release is not entirely surprising. The Persian Gulf country has at times quietly played mediator between western governments and the Taliban — even helping to facilitate peace negotiations between governments in Kabul and the hardline insurgency.
 
The Taliban have openly maintained a political office in the capital of Doha since 2013.
 
The last indication Rutherford's family had that he was alive came in a 2011 video released by insurgents where he answered questions; an accompanying email accused Rutherford, then 26, of being a spy.
 
In the video, Rutherford, who is from Toronto, insisted he was not a spy and had travelled to Afghanistan to study historical sites, old buildings and shrines.
 
Rutherford's brother has called the Canadian's release "incredible news."
 
"It absolutely is an enormous relief," Brian Rutherford said in a message to The Canadian Press. "My deepest gratitude to all those whose efforts have aided in Colin's safe release."
 
Rutherford was working as an auditor with the Canadian Circulations Audit Board in Toronto when he went on vacation to Afghanistan.

MORE International ARTICLES

In The Heart Of Europe's 'terrorist Hub', Youth Alienation Keeps Nerves On Edge

In The Heart Of Europe's 'terrorist Hub', Youth Alienation Keeps Nerves On Edge
To a casual visitor, this province of Brussels may look like any other - a bit run down in parts, but largely having the glass-fronted stores, cafes and bars visible in most other places across Europe.

In The Heart Of Europe's 'terrorist Hub', Youth Alienation Keeps Nerves On Edge

Obama Thanks Modi For India's Critical Role In Climate Deal

US President Barack Obama called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to thank him for his positive role and leadership in the successful outcome of the UN climate change conference in Paris.

Obama Thanks Modi For India's Critical Role In Climate Deal

Donald Trump: No Third-Party Run For Me

Donald Trump: No Third-Party Run For Me
Donald Trump has explicitly ruled out running as an independent, downplaying the scare scenario for Republicans that he might split the party's support in next year's presidential election.

Donald Trump: No Third-Party Run For Me

Chipotle CEO: The Company Will Cover Any Costs To Make Its Restaurants The Safest Anywhere

Chipotle CEO: The Company Will Cover Any Costs To Make Its Restaurants The Safest Anywhere
SEATTLE — Chipotle will not raise prices to cover the cost of new food safety procedures put in place after an E. coli outbreak sickened more than 50 people, the company's founder and CEO said Tuesday during a visit to Seattle.

Chipotle CEO: The Company Will Cover Any Costs To Make Its Restaurants The Safest Anywhere

Year After Peshawar School Massacre, Pakistan Still Trying To Cope With Rising Terrorism

Year After Peshawar School Massacre, Pakistan Still Trying To Cope With Rising Terrorism
As Pakistan marks the first year following the Peshawar attack, surviving school children, teachers and parents have been attempting to make the long journey back to normality.

Year After Peshawar School Massacre, Pakistan Still Trying To Cope With Rising Terrorism

North Korean Court Sentences Canadian Pastor To Life For Anti-State Activities

North Korean Court Sentences Canadian Pastor To Life For Anti-State Activities
PYONGYANG, Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of — North Korea's Supreme Court sentenced a Canadian pastor to life in prison with hard labour on Wednesday for what it called crimes against the state.

North Korean Court Sentences Canadian Pastor To Life For Anti-State Activities