Freed Taliban hostage charged with assault

A CANADIAN man who was held captive by the Taliban for five years appeared in court yesterday to face 15 charges including unlawful confinement and sexual assault.

Joshua Boyle, 34, was freed in Oct along with Caitlan, his American wife, and their three children, all of whom were born in captivity. He was arrested on New Year’s Day, accused of crimes committed between Oct 14, two days after he returned home, and Dec 30. The victims were two unnamed women.

He faces eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful confinement, as well as one each of misleading police to “divert suspicion from himself,” uttering a death threat, and administering a noxious substance, the anti-depressant Trazodone. His wife would not com- ment on the specific charges, but in a statement to The Toronto Star said: “I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this”.

She added: “With compassion and forgiveness … I hope help and healing can be found for him.”