French Foreign Ministry said that Michel Peyrard, Paris...
French Foreign Ministry said that Michel Peyrard, Paris Match reporter who has been detained by Taliban since October 9 on charges of espionage, should be freed as soon as possible
French Foreign Ministry said that Michel Peyrard, Paris Match reporter who has been detained by Taliban since October 9 on charges of espionage, should be freed as soon as possible.
"Our objective remains that he re-enjoys liberty as soon as possible. We remain in contact with all those who might play a useful role over this issue," said Francois Rivasseau, spokesman for the French ministry.
"Everyone knows it is absurd to think that Michel Peyrard is a spy. It involves a journalist doing his job," he said.
A Taliban spokesman announced earlier that investigations were finished and Peyrard will be brought to trial in a Islamic court on charges of espionage, which is usually sanctioned by death penalty under the Taliban regime, according to the Pakistan-based pro-Taliban Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
"Our objective remains that he re-enjoys liberty as soon as possible. We remain in contact with all those who might play a useful role over this issue," said Francois Rivasseau, spokesman for the French ministry.
"Everyone knows it is absurd to think that Michel Peyrard is a spy. It involves a journalist doing his job," he said.
A Taliban spokesman announced earlier that investigations were finished and Peyrard will be brought to trial in a Islamic court on charges of espionage, which is usually sanctioned by death penalty under the Taliban regime, according to the Pakistan-based pro-Taliban Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Xinhua, 29/10/2001)