Afghan Taliban release hostage video

AFP

KABUL -- An American and an Australian have appeared in a Taliban hostage video, five months after they were kidnapped from Kabul, AFP reported Thursday (January 12).

Gunmen wearing police uniforms abducted American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks, both professors at the American University of Afghanistan, on August 7.

The 13-minute, 35-second video circulated Wednesday (January 11) offers the first apparent proof that they were still alive.

Australia said Thursday (January 12) it "has been working closely with other governments to secure the release" of the hostage but would not elaborate, citing his family's wishes and safety concerns.

The American University of Afghanistan, which opened in 2006 and has attracted a number of faculty members from Western countries, called on the Taliban to release them immediately.

"Kevin and Tim came to Afghanistan as teachers, to help Afghanistan," the university said in a statement. "These innocent people have done nothing to harm anyone."

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