July 23, 2007

Time is Up: Taliban to Murder Korean Christian Hostages (UPDATE: Deadline Extended)

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The deadline set by Taliban spokesman Qari "Ahmedi" Mohammad Yousuf for the murder of 23 Korean civilian hostages has passed. According to a posting at the official website of the Taliban, the deadline was extended to 7:00 p.m. local time today. As of this writing, it is 8:35 p.m. in Afghanistan/Pakistan.

Pray.

UPDATE: Another 24 hours?

A purported Taliban spokesman said that negotiations for the lives of 23 South Korean hostages had stalled and that militants would kill the aid workers Tuesday evening if the government doesn't free Taliban prisoners.

Another purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf said talks with the Afghan government were going nowhere. The deadline was extended to 14:30 GMT Tuesday, he said, quoted by Reuters.

I've personally e-mailed Qari Mohammed Yousuf asking for the release of the Korean hostages. Not that I think that my e-mail will have any effect on him. We're not exactly 'friends'.

But I'd like to remind the Taliban media spinmeisters that if these hostages are killed, in the eyes of the world it will be cold-blooded murder. The world is watching you.......

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 11:08 AM | |