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Two Western teachers kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2016 could be released soon. This was hinted by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday 12 November. This release would take place through an exchange with three high-ranking prisoners, including a leader of the Haqqani extremist network.
With our correspondent in Islamabad, Sonia Ghezali
The three Taliban prisoners belong to the Haqqani network, an important armed wing of the Taliban movement, responsible for many particularly deadly attacks in Afghanistan. Hafiz Rashid, Haji Mali Khan and Anas Haqqani were captured five years ago from Afghanistan. Anas Haqqani is none other than the son of the founder of the eponymous Taliban network .
The release of the three men, imprisoned in Bagram prison north of Kabul, had been demanded by the insurgents on several occasions in recent years. Their release is a " very difficult decision," said the Afghan president. This was motivated by the urgent need to release the two professors from the American University of Kabul, abducted in August 2016 when they left the institution . One is Australian, and the other is American. The state of health of it has deteriorated sharply over the years, indicate some sources.
No information was given on when prisoners would be released from the hostages. If this is confirmed, it could mark the resumption of peace talks suspended by Washington last September by the US President.