Taliban release several British citizens held in Afghanistan

The Taliban have released several British citizens who were detained in Afghanistan after an agreement was reached between the two countries, Taliban and UK officials said on Monday.

The detainees were released on Sunday following a series of meetings between Afghan and British officials, said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban government, in a statement.

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"A number of British nationals were released, who were arrested about six months ago for violating the laws and traditions of the Afghan people,” he said.

Mujahid didn't say what laws the UK citizens had broken or elaborate on why they had been detained. The statement said all of them pledged to respect the laws of Afghanistan, the traditions and culture of the Afghan people and not to violate them again.

The identities of the British citizens were not released by either government but the Frontline Club, a journalists’ club in London that campaigned for former BBC cameraman Peter Jouvenal's release, said he was among the five who were freed.

Former BBC journalist David Loyn also said in a tweet: "Peter Jouvenal has been released from captivity in Afghanistan after more than six months.

"His family have requested privacy at this time, and have expressed gratitude to the Foreign Office who have worked tirelessly to secure the release.”

Associated Press