Letter for Ajmal

We are writing to call attention to the case of Ajmal Nakshbandi, an Afghan freelance journalist who was abducted in Helmand province with La Repubblica reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo and driver Sayed Agha on March 5. Mr. Nakshbandi, a reporter in his own right, was serving as Mr. Mastrogiacomo’s translator. Mr. Agha was beheaded a few days after the three men were seized, and Mr. Mastrogiacomo was released on March 19, apparently in exchange for five senior Taliban leaders.

Only Mr. Nakshbandi remains captive, apparently held by the Taliban. As journalists who have worked with Mr. Nakshbandi, we are greatly concerned about his fate. He is admired as a first-rate reporter and knowledgeable colleague; his deep understanding of Afghanistan’s complexities earned him a reputation for even-handedness.

We join our Afghan colleagues in urging Mr. Nakshbandi’s captors to release him immediately, and in calling on the Afghan government to ensure his return to safety.

by teru kuwayama at Wed Mar 28 22:19:11 UTC 2007 (ed. Mar 12 2008) puerto vallarta, Mexico | Bookmark this | Digg this |