Afghanistan/France

French aid worker kidnapped, Afghan killed

Article published on the 2008-11-03 Latest update 2008-11-04 13:38 TU

A Kabul street
(Photo: Tony Cross)

A French aid worker has been kidnapped in Kabul, according to Afghan officials. His employer says that he is 32-year-old Dany Egreteau, an education specialist. A young Afghan was shot dead by the kidnappers. Eyewitnesses say that he tried to prevent the kidnapping.

The kidnapping took place in a Kabul street at 9.15 am in the centre of Kabul.

Egreteau, who was on his first visit to the country, was walking in the street when he was captured by three armed men, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Zemarai Bashary.

The aid agency which employs him, Solidarité laïque (Secular Solidarity) says that he is the head of its education mission in Afghanistan, India and Sri Lanka and is usually based in Colombo.

Eyewitnesses say that two westerners were chased by two armed men with an accomplice following in a vehicle, and that one of the westerners was captured after trying to run away and tripping up. The other reportedly managed to escape.

An Afghan then jumped out of a car and tried to disarm one of the kidnappers, only to be shot by another. He has been identified as Malik, a 26-year-old who worked as a driver for the intelligence chief in the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, according to his uncle, Ghulam Hazrat.

Afghan officials say that the Taliban were not involved in the kidnapping.