January 10, 2007

Hostage Story: Kidnapped by the Taliban

John Rosenthal sends this translation he made of the account of three journalists & their driver kidnapped by the Taliban. The original appeared in Die Weltwoche, but you can read the English version of it at World Politics Watch:

Now the tide seems to have turned. The older guy, who first seemed like a savior to us, orders his men to empty our pockets. Passports, wallets, several hundred dollars, digital camera, even my glasses -- everything is taken away from us and thrown into a pile on the sand. Then he walks up to us, points his gun and orders: "Get down on your knees, in a row!"...

Nathan is kneeling to my left. The driver Ismael to my right. He has moved about a yard away from me, as if he believed that greater distance from the "unbelievers" might prolong his life somewhat....

They seem more like common criminals than 'freedom fighters' and 'holy warriors'. In the end, they get away with their lives, but not their money or their car.

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 10:49 AM | |