Four Britons to return from Afghanistan after release by Taliban

Four British nationals who were being held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan have been released and are set to return to the UK on a flight.

The UK Foreign Office said it welcomes the release of the men, who were detained for allegedly breaking the country’s laws.

Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network, which has assisted the men, named three of them as charity medic Kevin Cornwell, from Middlesbrough, so-called “dangerous tourist” Miles Routledge and Ian Purchase.

The other cannot be named for legal reasons.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said the UK government “regrets this episode”.

They added: “On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country.”

Scott Richards, co-founder of the Presidium Network, said the men were returning to the UK on Tuesday, but was unaware of which flight they were on.

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Mr Routledge had gained fame – and attracted controversy – by travelling to dangerous countries and posting about it online.

In August 2021, he travelled to Afghanistan despite the Taliban having made gains as it took control of the country.

He was on “holiday” there when he became he was caught up in the chaos.

Mr Routledge received criticism on social media over his trip which he was using as an alternative to a traditional holiday.

He claimed he had encountered Taliban members, seen dead bodies in the street and was shielded from gunfire in a NATO-controlled safe house.

Mr Routledge thanked the British Army after he was among those to leave during the Kabul airlift.

However, he was taken in custody after returning to the country afterwards.

Meanwhile, Mr Cornwell had been working for the UN Refugee Agency in Kabul when he was detained by the Taliban in January.

He is accused of having an illegal firearm in the safe in his room, but his family say he had been granted a licence for the weapon.

Mr Richards said this was down to a “misunderstanding” and the licence may have become separated from the firearm during the search.

The UK Foreign Office advises all British people not to travel to Afghanistan.

The advice reads: “The security situation in Afghanistan remains extremely volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks through Afghanistan, including around the airport.

“There is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in or around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as the month of Ramadan. Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, and border crossings may not be open.”

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