Taliban releases Canadian tourist held captive since 2010

A Canadian man, held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2010, has been released, the Canadian government announced on Monday. Colin Rutherford, who travelled to Afghanistan as a tourist, will be coming back home soon, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said.

"Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful,” Dion said in a statement. "We look forward to Mr. Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones."

The minister added that Rutherford, 26, will be provided with consular assistance by the Canadian government as he prepares to return to his country.

In a video released by the Taliban, Rutherford, who is an auditor with a science degree, was asked by his captors what religion he followed and he replied there was none. He was also asked the reason behind his visit to Afghanistan, to which he said he was interested in historical sites.

At the time of his visit, the Canadian government had warned its people to avoid the country. However, Qatar has acted as a mediator between the western government and the Taliban as it did on earlier occasions as well.

Brian, Rutherford’s brother, told the Canadian Press that the family is “overjoyed.” "We're obviously overjoyed at the news today, and we're very thankful to everyone whose hard work has assisted in Colin's safe release," said Brian. He also thanked the Qatar government for its involvement in the release of his brother.

The Canadian Circulations Audit Board said in an email that Rutherford was an employee at the company when he took a vacation to Afghanistan.

"This is great news," Tim Peel, the company's vice-president. "We wish him a safe and speedy return and would like to thank all the parties involved in securing his freedom."