Afghanistan: Kidnappers threatening to kill three foreign UN workers in Afghanistan complained yesterday that the government had yet to free 26 Taliban prisoners as part of a deal they said it made to secure the trio's release. The hostages include Ms Annetta Flanigan, from Northern Ireland.
Mullah Sabir Momin, a commander of the Jaish-e Muslimeen (Army of Muslims) Taliban splinter faction, said it was considering withdrawing better conditions it had provided to the hostages and would not allow them to telephone their families.
"We are greatly disappointed over the pace at which things are moving," he told Reuters. "According to our information, the government has not taken any step for the release of our men.
"We will wait until the second or third day of Eid and then our Shura will decide the future course of action," he said. The three-day Muslim festival of Eid begins today.
Ms Flanigan, Ms Shqipe Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Mr Angelito Nayan were abducted in Kabul on October 28th, after helping to organise a presidential election won by US-backed incumbent Mr Hamid Karzai. Mullah Momin said one of the women was unwell but did not say who.
The Jaish-e Muslimeen had said on Thursday that government intermediaries had promised that the prisoners would be released and also that other demands would be met before Eid. The Afghan government and United Nations have declined comment.
On Wednesday, Mullah Momin said that because a deal seemed likely the kidnappers would provide the hostages with better food and accommodation and arrange for a doctor to see them.
The kidnappers have said the three hostages have been suffering from cold and poor food, but at least two were allowed to phone home on Monday and said they were being well treated.
Mullah Momin said earlier this week that the group's Shura had already authorised the killing of the hostages if the demands were not met.
The government and UN officials have declined to comment on specific efforts to release the workers.
The United Nations called on Thursday for the hostages to be freed before Eid.