Call to release Afghan reporter

By Mark Dummett
BBC News, Kabul

Ajmal Naqshbandi has been held for nearly one month

Journalists working in Kabul have appealed to the Taleban to release an Afghan reporter, Ajmal Naqshbandi, who was kidnapped almost a month ago.

A Taleban commander, Mullah Dadullah, said he would only be released if the government agreed to a prisoner swap.

Mr Naqshbandi's Italian colleague, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, was freed two weeks ago.

He was released in a deal that led to the release of five Taleban leaders from Afghan prisons.

Journalists in Kabul called on Mullah Dadullah to set Mr Naqshbandi free immediately.

He has been held by the insurgents in southern Helmand province since the beginning of March.

He was seized along with Mr Mastrogiacomo and a local guide, Sayeed Agha. The Taleban first executed Mr Agha then traded Mr Mastrogiocomo for five prisoners.

'No defence'

The appeal was launched by both Afghan and Italian journalists.

Lorenzo Cremonesi, a reporter in Kabul for the Italian newspaper, La Corriere della Sera, said journalists are becoming more frequently targeted by "terrorists, criminals, bandits, extremists, any kind of groups.

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"These are journalists and people don't have the right to touch them. We don't have any way to defend ourselves," he said.

The Afghan government has been heavily criticised for apparently doing little for Ajmal Naqshbandi while working hard for his Italian colleague's freedom.

Sanjar Qiam, from the Afghan radio station Salaam Watandar, said the Afghan government had an obligation to protect all citizens, especially journalists, but it had not fulfilled that obligation.

"We are also concerned about the security of all journalists... not only [those] working in the areas which are under Taleban control but are in the areas of government control."

Ajmal Naqshbandi is not the only hostage being held by the Taleban.

Last week a team of five Afghan health workers were seized near Kandahar.

And police in the south-western province of Nimruz say that two French aid workers and their three Afghan colleagues have been missing since Tuesday. It is believed that they too have been abducted, but no-one has claimed responsibility.