Two British men being held in Afghanistan are in good spirits and will hopefully be released soon, a non-profit group negotiating with the Taliban on their behalf said on Monday.
Kevin Cornwell, 53, and an unnamed manager of a hotel for aid workers in Kabul have been detained in Afghanistan since January due to a “simple understanding”, said Scott Richards, co-founder of the UK-based Presidium Network.
He told The National: “The circumstances are that on January 11 there was what we believe was a tip to the General Directorate of Intelligence for the Taliban that resulted in a search of their rooms in the Darya Village hotel in Kabul.
“In that search a pistol was discovered stored in a safe. And the person was originally accompanied by the licence.
“We have verified everything. We have confirmed the existence of the licence issued from the Ministry of the Interior and this is ultimately a simple understanding.”
He said the pair were in good spirits, were being treated well and were permitted to speak to their family at the weekend.
“We confirmed on the basis of that call that our expectations that the men were being treated well and are in good health were correct and we are hopeful this is a step towards their release and becomes a foundation to build upon for better interactions with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on sensitive matters,” said Mr Richards.
“I can’t describe the contents of the personal call but I can say it was a very emotional and relieving phone call and that they sounded positive, given that they are in detention.
“They are being treated well. They have not been subject to any improper treatment or improper conditions,” added Mr Richards, who has worked as an adviser in Afghanistan and served in the Britain#s Afghan task force during the evacuation of Kabul.
He said there was “no clarity on official charges”, however, he believes the base charge would be possession of an illegal firearm.
“But we are confident that we can demonstrate that this is a misunderstanding,” he added.
Mr Cornwell and the hotel manager, who wishes to remain anonymous, are being held alongside self-professed “danger tourist” Miles Routledge.
He recently returned to Afghanistan after being evacuated during a holiday in the country in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power.
It is not known for how long Mr Routledge, 23, has been held.
He has gained notoriety by travelling to dangerous countries and posting about it online.
The Presidium Network is not acting as a negotiator on his behalf.
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
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Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
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Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
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Specs
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Power: 659hp
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Gearbox Nine-speed auto
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Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
