Canadian Colin Rutherford freed from Taliban captivity
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- Asia
AP
A Canadian captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan has been freed after more than five years in captivity.
Colin Rutherford was released on Monday, following efforts brokered by the Qatari government, Canadian foreign minister Stephane Dion said.
The Taliban announced the capture of Mr Rutherford in 2011, accusing him of being a spy. Mr Rutherford denied this, saying he was a tourist.
In a statement, the Taliban said he had been released on humanitarian grounds.
Mr Rutherford was freed on Monday morning in central Ghazni province, local police chief Aminullah Amarkhil said in quotes carried by AP.
He was flown out in a helicopter from the remote district of Giro, the police chief added.
"Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful," Mr Dion said.
"We look forward to Mr Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones," he said, and expressed "heartfelt thanks" to the government of Qatar for its assistance.
The Taliban said it had released Mr Rutherford "on ground of humanitarian sympathy and sublime Islamic ethics", without providing any further details on the release.
Monday's release came as Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and US officials met for talks aimed at establishing a roadmap for peace between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban collapsed last year, after news emerged that Taliban leader Mullah Omar had in fact died in 2013.
His deputy Mullah Mansour was declared leader in July - but a number of senior Taliban commanders refused to pledge allegiance to him and set up a rival faction.
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