The kidnapped translator for an Italian journalist was killed on Sunday in southern
Afghanistan, a purported spokesman for the Taliban said. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Ajmal Nashqbandi, a freelance journalist and translator, was kidnapped along with Daniele Mastrogiacomo, of Italian daily La Repubblica, and a driver in southern Helmand province on March 5. The driver was beheaded, and Mastrogiacomo was released March 19 in a swap for five Talibans.

"We asked for two Taliban commanders to be released in exchange for Ajmal Nashqbandi, but the government did not care for our demands, and today, at 3:05 p.m.." said Shahabuddin Atal, who claimed to be a spokesman for the regional Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah.

"When we demanded the exchange for the Italian journalist, the government released the prisoners, but for the Afghan journalist, the government did not care," Atal said, but his claim could not be independently verified.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said that police have no evidence yet that Nashqbandi has been killed.

Another Taliban spokesman who frequently speaks with the media, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, said he was not aware of the killing.

Local Tolo television station also reported Atal's claim that Nashqbandi had been killed.

Güncelleme Tarihi: 20 Eylül 2018, 18:16