Three kidnapped Turks released in Afghanistan

The statement said the three were freed on Monday and taken to the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, adding they would return to Turkey on Friday.

The three were kidnapped in the eastern province of Khost while working on a communications project on Oct. 22.

The three Turkish nationals have been freed with their Afghan driver and interpreter after negotiations by tribal elders, Khost province deputy governor Tahir Khan Sabari told AFP.

"We managed to win their safe release through tribal elders," Sabari said. "They are all in good health," he added.

The insurgent Taliban, which has carried out dozens of abductions in Afghanistan, denied involvement in the kidnapping, which could have also been the work of criminals seeking ransom.

Sabari said no deal had been made with the abductors, who kidnapped the men as they were driving to the town of Khost from the radio construction project.

"We told them that if they do not release the engineers, then we would resort to military operation," he said.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also thanked the Afghan authorities for their help. It did not say how the men were freed or if any ransom money was paid.

The ministry said the men were released after intense diplomatic efforts but did not give further details.

Amid rising violence in Afghanistan, kidnapping has become a lucrative business and scores of locals and foreigners have been abducted by criminals or Taliban-linked militants in recent years.

Photo: Hurriyet Archives