Guardian journalist released by Afghan kidnappers
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Dec 17, IRNA -- Award-winning journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad has been released after being held hostage for six days in a remote region of Afghanistan, the Guardian newspaper has confirmed.
Abdul-Ahad, a foreign correspondent for the Guardian, was freed with two Afghan journalists after being captured last week when planning to interview militants in the mountainous region bordering Pakistan's North-West Frontier province.
News of the kidnapping was not released in an attempt to ensure the safe return of all three journalists but it triggered a co-ordinated response in the UK and Afghanistan, the daily said.
"The Guardian has a comprehensive emergency plan to deal with such incidents, which was enacted immediately in both London and Kabul," it said. The plan included engaging “professional advisers” to assist in securing the release.
Editor-in-chief of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, paid tribute to those who had helped secure the men's safe release, saying it had been an ordeal for them, and difficult for all involved, including their families.
“The kidnapping is another illustration of the dangers facing journalists trying to report in many difficult parts of the world. We're delighted the situation has been resolved relatively quickly and that the men are safe," Rushbridger said.
Baghdad-born Abdul-Ahad began working for the Guardian after the US-led invasion of Iraq. He was one of the last journalists to work in Fallujah before the American assault and in 2008 was named as Foreign Reporter of the Year in the British Press Awards.
The Guardian said no further details of the kidnapping were being released to avoid compromising the security of those involved, particularly those remaining in Afghanistan. The names of the two Afghan journalists were also not released for their safety.
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