Taliban prisoners in contact with families back in UK, says spokesman

02 April 2023 , 13:45

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Danger tourist Miles Routledge is one of the three Brits being held captive in Afghanistan (Image: PA)

The three British men being held prisoner by the Taliban in Afghanistan are in contact with their relatives back in the UK, according to a family spokesman.

Miles Routledge, from Birmingham, is the most well-known of the three Brits being held.

He's a thrill-seeking, self-styled "danger tourist" who has travelled the world, visiting its most risky countries.

In August 2021, he was evacuated from the country when Kabul was conquered by the Taliban.

Of the two other men, only one has been named - charity medic Kevin Cornwell, with the third prisoner said to be a hotel manager from Kabul.

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Charity medic Kevin Cornwell is also being held

Mr Routledge, pictured in Afghanistan, has visited some of the world's most dangerous places (PA)

Scott Richards, from the Presidium Network NGO, which is helping Mr Cornwell and the unnamed Brit, told Sky News: "We're very pleased to announce that there has been contact between families and the detainees.

"They were able to spend about 10 minutes this morning in an unscripted conversation, which is very important.

"This is a landmark move and for any negotiation with the Taliban, because we haven't seen any of this privilege before.

"They've certainly taking this as a goodwill gesture and an incredibly important step."

Taliban fighters hoist their flag as they drive an Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle through the streets of Laghman province (AFP via Getty Images)

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said yesterday: "We are working hard to secure consular contact with British nationals detained in Afghanistan and we are supporting families."

Mr Cornwell - arrested by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) - and the unnamed Brit are in good health, according to Scott Richards from the Presidium Network, a humanitarian non-profit.

Mr Richards said: "There has been no meaningful contact (with the men), there has been no access by international monitoring agencies... and there's been no other form of access to the individuals to date".

Mr Routledge with a heavy machine gun in Afghanistan (PA)

"We're very hopeful that contact will be made."

Neither men have been charged and charges have not been brought, but remain held in a facility for foreign nationals run by the GDI.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman added: "Anyone travelling to dangerous parts of the world should take the utmost caution.

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"If they are going to do that, they should always act on the advice of the Foreign Office travel advice.

Afghan Taliban fighters celebrate the peace deal signed with the US in March 2020 (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"If there are risks to people's safety, if they're a British citizen abroad, then the UK government is going to do whatever it takes to ensure that they're safe.

"The government is in negotiations and working hard to ensure people's safety is upheld."

Asked directly if the government was in negotiations, Ms Braverman replied: "If there are problems and if there are safety concerns to British individuals abroad, then the FCO will be working actively to ensure people are safe."

Ryan Fahey