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Taliban say French hostages freed in exchange for commander
Taliban say French hostages freed in exchange for commander - Monsters and Critics
Jun 30, 2011, 15:47 GMT
Kabul - The Afghan Taliban said Thursday they freed two French journalists who had been held hostage in Afghanistan for a year and a half in exchange for their commander, who was in Afghan security custody.
France was forced to agree on conditions and submitted to release some seniors (commanders) of the Mujahideen in exchange for their nationals, Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban said in a statement.
Mujahideen meaning freedom fighters is a term Taliban use for their comrades.
Herve Ghesquiere, 47 and Stephane Taponier, 46, reporters for France 3 television, were abducted on December 30, 2009 about 60 kilometres north-east of Kabul in Kapisa province, along with three Afghan assistants.
Their 547-day captivity was the longest of a French journalist in decades. They were taken in an unstable area that is under the influence of Hezb-e-Islami, an armed group led by a warlord who has occasionally allied himself with the Taliban against US and NATO forces.
Taliban say French hostages freed in exchange for commander - Monsters and Critics
Jun 30, 2011, 15:47 GMT
Kabul - The Afghan Taliban said Thursday they freed two French journalists who had been held hostage in Afghanistan for a year and a half in exchange for their commander, who was in Afghan security custody.
France was forced to agree on conditions and submitted to release some seniors (commanders) of the Mujahideen in exchange for their nationals, Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban said in a statement.
Mujahideen meaning freedom fighters is a term Taliban use for their comrades.
Herve Ghesquiere, 47 and Stephane Taponier, 46, reporters for France 3 television, were abducted on December 30, 2009 about 60 kilometres north-east of Kabul in Kapisa province, along with three Afghan assistants.
Their 547-day captivity was the longest of a French journalist in decades. They were taken in an unstable area that is under the influence of Hezb-e-Islami, an armed group led by a warlord who has occasionally allied himself with the Taliban against US and NATO forces.