A Canadian has been freed from captivity in Afghanistan after being taken hostage by the Taliban five years ago, Canada's foreign minister said Monday.
Colin Rutherford, who was 26 years old when he was reported missing in February 2011 while visiting the war-torn nation as a tourist, was released with the help of Qatar, according to Stephane Dion, who provided no further details.
"Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful," Dion said in a statement.
"We look forward to Mr. Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones," he added.
Rutherford had been captured in the central province of Ghazni by the Taliban, who accused him of being a spy.
In a video released by the militant group in May 2011, Rutherford said he traveled to Afghanistan to see "historical sites, old buildings, shrines."
The announcement of Rutherford's release comes as Pakistan hosted four-country talks Monday aimed at luring the Afghan Taliban back to the negotiating table with the Kabul government.
A Canadian has been freed from captivity in Afghanistan after being taken hostage by the Taliban five years ago, Canada’s foreign minister said Monday.
Colin Rutherford, who was 26 years old when he was reported missing in February 2011 while visiting the war-torn nation as a tourist, was released with the help of Qatar, according to Stephane Dion, who provided no further details.
“Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful,” Dion said in a statement.
“We look forward to Mr. Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones,” he added.
Rutherford had been captured in the central province of Ghazni by the Taliban, who accused him of being a spy.
In a video released by the militant group in May 2011, Rutherford said he traveled to Afghanistan to see “historical sites, old buildings, shrines.”
The announcement of Rutherford’s release comes as Pakistan hosted four-country talks Monday aimed at luring the Afghan Taliban back to the negotiating table with the Kabul government.
