United Kingdom officials are attempting to secure diplomatic contact with the three and are reportedly also providing support to their families.
The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, ousting the government led by Ashraf Ghani. (Representational image)
by India Today World DeskThree British people, including a charity worker and a “dangerous tourist”, have been held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan. United Kingdom officials are attempting to secure diplomatic contact with the three and are reportedly also providing support to their families.
According to reports, a Taliban secret police unit detained 53-year-old Kevin Cornwell and another British man working for aid workers in Kabul was detained by Taliban police in January.
A third British national, identified as Miles Routledge, who had gone on a “holiday” to Afghanistan, has been detained.
He was evacuated by Britain’s armed forces less than two years ago when Ashraf Ghani was ousted from power and the Taliban took over Afghanistan. He had returned to tour the country.
UK government action
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed it is attempting consular contact with British nationals.
“We are working hard to secure consular access to British nationals detained in Afghanistan and we are supporting the families,” Guardian An FCDO official was quoted as saying.
according to a report by the mail, Cornwell was arrested on 11 January during a raid by officers of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI). He was charged with illegal possession of firearms in his rented room at the Darya Village Hotel. The British national of the hotel was also arrested on this account.
Both the persons are said to be kept in the Secure Unit for Foreign Nationals run by GDI. He has not been charged with arrest and has been denied any legal representation.
Also, their families are being supported by a British non-profit organisation.
NGO official said
British NGO interlocutor Scott Richards has said that the Taliban’s GDI may be acting on a tip. He also noted that Kevin’s room was stored with a Taliban-issued license and that the weapon was never taken out of the vault nor carried.
Richards also said there is no clarity on the legal process in Afghanistan, including the right to representation and fees.
(with inputs from agencies)