Taliban ‘kidnaps’ nine westerners accused of spying, including ex-BBC journalist

Nine westerners, including two journalists, were “kidnapped in Afghanistan. The Taliban said ‘several foreign nationals’ were accused of spying.

Taliban fighters sit on a vehicle along a road in the Herat. Picture: AFP.

Two United Nations journalists are reportedly among nine westerners kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

A member of Taliban intelligence in Kabul told media “several foreign nationals” were detained as alleged spies for western countries.

It came after former Afghanistan vice president Amrullah Saleh tweeted nine westerners, including a former British soldier, were kidnapped.

“Due to no media, no reporting by citizens and a suffocating atmosphere, corruption, crime and atrocities aren’t well exposed. As an example nine citizens of Western countries have been kidnapped,” he said in a tweet.

Due to no media, no reporting by citizens & a suffocating atmosphere corruption, crime & atrocities aren't well exposed. As an example 9 citizens of western countries hv been kidnapped amongst them Andrew North of BBC & Peter Juvenal owner of Gandomak Restaurant. Talibs r liars.

— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) February 11, 2022

Among them was former BBC journalist Andrew North, as well as Peter Juvenal, the owner of the Gandomak Restaurant, Mr Saleh said.

Mr Juvenal was a former British soldier who fought with the mujahidin in the 1980s, turned BBC cameraman, before opening Gandamak Lodge, according to a Time Magazine profile.

“Talibs r liars,” Mr Saleh added.

A member of a Taliban intelligence unit in Kabul told The Washington Post that “several foreign nationals” were arrested in Kabul on charges of working for Western intelligence agencies.

The BBC’s foreign editor, Paul Danahar, confirmed in a tweet that Mr North was for the UN in Kabul.

“He is a former colleague and a respected journalist,” he added.

“All inquiries about his situation, which his friends and colleagues are obviously concerned about, should be directed to the UN.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed that two journalists on assignment, along with Afghan nationals working with them, have been detained in Kabul.

“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,” the agency said in a tweet.

Taliban fighters sit on a vehicle along a road in the Herat. Picture: AFP.