Fears over detained SA man
2009-11-12 09:51
Aldi Schoeman
Cape Town - The family of a South African man who is apparently being held illegally in Afghanistan, is struggling to get information about his condition.
"The only information we are getting, is from friends and friends of friends in Afghanistan. They are supporting us with information, like to find out if he is still alive," said Patrick Young, brother of Phil Young.
Young, 47, was arrested in Afghanistan on October 1 after he shot a man in self-defence.
The Table View, Cape Town, resident had been working in Afghanistan for about a year as the logistical manager for American company, Anham LLC.
Shot at
According to Patrick, his brother had seen a group of six armed men in civilian clothes standing around on the company's property in Lashkar Gah on the day of the incident. He recognised at least one of them as a security guard who worked for a company that had earlier been contracted by Anham LLC.
According to Patrick, the security guards were not permitted to be armed if they were not in uniform.
"Phil warned the leader to drop his weapon, but the man shot at Phil. Phil shot back."
Phil was then placed in detention in Lashkar Gah for about two weeks in "good circumstances" and could contact his family via cellphone.
After this, he was moved to a prison in Kabul as the company believed his chances of success in the legal system would be better there. His cellphone was taken however, and about 10 days later, Patrick was told that Phil would be moved to another prison in Kabul "where he would get better food and a shower".
Letters
Patrick said with the help of Amnesty International, letters had been sent to, amongst others, President Jacob Zuma, President Hamid Karzai, people in the American government and the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
"Only the UN confirmed receiving the letters."
"He (Phil) didn't commit a crime and has also not been charged with a crime.
"He is being held unlawfully because according to Afghan law, he may only be held for 15 days without being charged."
- Die Burger