A tweet from the UN says that two journalists who work for the UN have been detained in Kabul. There are also reports that at least eight other Westerners have been arrested in the war-torn country.
“Two journalists with UNHCR and Afghan nationals working with them have been detained in Kabul. We are doing our utmost to resolve the situation, in coordination with others,” the UNHCR tweeted.
“We will make no further comment given the nature of the situation.”
Two journalists on assignment with UNHCR and Afghan nationals working with them have been detained in Kabul. We are doing our utmost to resolve the situation, in coordination with others.
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 11, 2022
We will make no further comment given the nature of the situation.
Former BBC correspondent Andrew North is one of them, according to Amrullah Saleh, Afghanistan’s former vice president.
Saleh also claimed that the Taliban “kidnapped” eight other Westerners after seizing power last year amid the chaotic withdrawal of US soldiers.
“Due to no media, no reporting by citizens & a suffocating atmosphere corruption, crime & atrocities aren’t well exposed,” he tweeted Friday.
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
“As an example 9 citizens of western countries have been kidnapped amongst them Andrew North of BBC & Peter Juvenal owner of Gandomak Restaurant.”
The Washington Post reported that “several foreign people” were arrested in Kabul on suspicion of working for Western intelligence agencies, according to a member of a Taliban intelligence unit in Kabul.
North “is working for the UN in Kabul,” according to Paul Danahar, the BBC’s international editor.
“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.”
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