German freed in Afghanistan
05/07/2007 13:47  - (SA)  

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Kabul - A German national abducted in southwestern Afghanistan with his translator about a week ago was freed on Thursday, the Interior Ministry said.

"He was freed with the help of police, he is in good health," said interior ministry spokesperson Zemarai Bashary.

The men went missing last Thursday while driving from the southern city of Kandahar to Herat in the west.

Afghan officials said they were abducted in the southwestern province of Farah.

"I cannot tell you who had kidnapped them but it was an abduction," Bashary said adding that the translator was also released.

The governor of Farah province, Ghulam Mohaidin Baluch, said earlier on Thursday that the abductors had demanded a ransom for the release of the German.

Baluch said the kidnappers were Taliban, but the extremist group denied involvement.

The abductors had told tribal elders in the province's Bakwa district they would free him for $40 000, the governor said.

"We are not going to accept this demand of Taliban and the enemy. We are working hard to secure his release," the governor said.

Taliban spokesperson Yousuf Ahmadi said: "This is not our work. This could be the work of criminal groups who kidnap for money."

- AFP

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