Austrian Citizen Released from Taliban Custody with Qatar’s Mediation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar has successfully facilitated the release of an Austrian citizen previously held in a Taliban prison in Afghanistan, as announced in a recent statement.

The individual has safely arrived in Qatar following their release.

Mohammad bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khalifi, Qatar’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude towards the Taliban for their cooperation in securing the freedom of the Austrian national. However, details regarding the identity of the released individual were not disclosed in the statement.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer extended his appreciation to Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, for his pivotal role in the release process. The Austrian Foreign Ministry had earlier, in June 2023, reported the detention of an Austrian man by the Taliban during his visit to Afghanistan.