08 April 2007
Ajmal Naqshbandi
Unknown
The Taleban in Afghanistan have killed an Afghan reporter abducted last month with an Italian journalist.
The group said it had killed Ajmal Naqshbandi because the government had refused to meet its demands to release senior figures from prison. Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo was released after five Taleban members were freed in exchange. The driver, Sayed Agha, was beheaded last month.
The two reporters and their driver were captured on 6 March in Helmand province. Shohaabuddin Atal, a spokesman for Taleban commander Mullah Dadullah, said: "We killed Ajmal today because the government did not respond to our demands." Ajmal Naqshbandi worked as a guide and translator for visiting foreign reporters. He was abducted with Mr Mastrogiacomo and their driver at a Taleban checkpoint and originally accused of spying for the British army.
The reporters' driver was beheaded to put pressure on negotiations for their release.
