Two journalists held in Afghanistan by Taliban released

Two journalists, including one who used to work for the BBC, have been released after they were detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The pair, who had been working with the United Nations, were freed along with several Afghans who were assisting them in their roles.

The detainees were seized on Sunday and Monday and were not mistreated, it is believed.

Late on Friday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee said: “We are relieved to confirm the release in Kabul of the two journalists on assignment with UNHCR, and the Afghan nationals working with them.”

“We are grateful to all who expressed concern and offered help. We remain committed to the people of Afghanistan.”

Earlier in the day, the UN refugee agency had reported the detentions and said it was seeking to ensure the journalists and workers were set free.

One of those held was former BBC journalist Andrew North.

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His wife Natalia Antelava had tweeted: “Andrew was in Kabul working for the UNHCR & trying to help the people of Afghanistan.

“We are extremely concerned for his safety & call on anyone with influence to help secure his release.”

Meanwhile, friends of a second British man who has been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have pleaded for his release, saying they believe he may be being held “in error”.

Peter Jouvenal, a British/German dual national, has been held since early December and was visiting the nation for business and family reasons, his friends said.

Mr Jouvenal, a Muslim man who is married to an Afghan woman, has been travelling to Afghanistan for more than 40 years as a freelance cameraman, businessman and investor.

In a statement his friends said they were “deeply concerned for his safety”.

It added: “He is being held without charge, and with no freedom to contact his family or lawyers.

“Peter’s family and friends believe that he may have been detained in error, as he was in Afghanistan to discuss investments in Afghanistan’s mining industry as well as conducting family business.”

The Taliban confirmed they had released some foreign nationals without specifying who or how many.

“Those foreign nationals who identified themselves with an international institution were detained because they did not have the necessary identity cards, licences and documents,” said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

UN agencies employ journalists to report on their work around the world.

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Since the Taliban took over the country last August, concerns have grown over a crackdown on dissent.

The United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns over women’s rights activists who have gone missing in recent weeks.

Countries have refused to recognise the Taliban-led administration.

But they have ramped up efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis stemming from an economy which has stalled from sanctions and a halt in development funding since the group took over.

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