Britons told: Fly back or family dies
PEOPLE who fled Afghanistan to the UK have been told their families will be killed if they fail to return to the country.
Taliban members are holding families hostage and forcing women and children to phone their relatives, begging for them to return so they can be saved.
The Sunday People has spoken to several sources, including some in Kabul, who confirmed the claims.
In one case the Taliban issued an arrest warrant for the brother of a Bradford businessman after he refused to give him up. His whole family is now on the run.
The brother, 30, who is trapped in Afghanistan, said: “The Taliban have a list of those they want to kill – they send letters telling people to report to police stations where they are held.
Terrified
“They are sending messages to Afghans in the UK saying, ‘Return or we will kill your family’.”
The Sunday People has seen letters accusing both brothers of spying for the UK.
Meanwhile, a delivery driver from Leeds, whose wife and fiveyear-old child were going through the visa process to settle here, said his family are now being watched. He said: “The Taliban know who I am and they are watching my wife.
“They told her I must return and I’m terrified she and my child will be killed if I don’t.”
More than 1,000 UK nationals were left after the withdrawal of Western troops on August 30.
Afghan Council of Great Britain chairman Mohammed Hotak said: “By targeting British citizens they are targeting the UK.
“We saw this sort of tactic when the Taliban was in power 20 years ago. It will only get worse.”
The Foreign Office said: “We have been clear the Taliban must allow passage for those who want to leave. We will continue to do all we can to secure safe passage.”
■ The Taliban reportedly hung a dead body from a crane in the main square of the city of Herat in western Afghanistan yesterday. A witness said four bodies were taken there, then three were moved elsewhere for display. They said the Taliban claimed the four were killed by police after taking part in a kidnapping.