Kabul
The Afghan government admitted this week that it traded five Taliban prisoners for the release of an Italian journalist held hostage. “It was an exceptional measure taken because we value our relations and friendship with Italy,” said presidential spokesman Karim Rahimi. Italy, which has 2,000 troops in Afghanistan, has often been suspected of negotiating with terrorists for hostages’ release. The U.S. and U.N. condemned the trade, saying terrorist demands should never be met. The Afghan Independent Journalists Association agreed. “Our concern is that after this kind of exchange the journalists will become a target; there will be more and more kidnappings by Taliban and al Qaida,” said the group’s president, Rahimullah Samander.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Mickey 17: 'charming space oddity' that's a 'sparky one-off'The Week Recommends 'Remarkable' Robert Pattinson stars in Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi comedy
-
EastEnders at 40: are soaps still relevant?Talking Point Albert Square's residents are celebrating, but falling viewer figures have fans worried the soap bubble has burst
-
What will the thaw in Russia-US relations cost Europe?Today's Big Question US determination to strike a deal with Russia over Ukraine means Europe faces 'betrayal by a long-term ally'
