Canadian Tourist Detained in Afghanistan Since 2010 Finally Released

A Canadian man, held by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2010, has been released, Canada's government announced Monday.

Canadian Minister Stephane Dion said in a statement Colin Rutherford was a tourist in Afghanistan when he was seized by the Taliban in November 2010. The Taliban released a video of Rutherford in 2011 and accused him, then 26, of being a spy.

Rutherford insisted he was not a spy and had travelled to Afghanistan to study historical sites and shrines.

It was not immediately clear how his release came about, but Dion thanked the government of Qatar for its assistance.

"Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful," Dion said.

"We look forward to Mr. Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones."

Source: The Associated Press