The Taliban detained a British couple in Afghanistan over a small matter and the courts will rule on it based on Islamic law, a government spokesperson said Tuesday, adding: 鈥淕od willing, their problem will soon be resolved.鈥�
It鈥檚 the first time in more than a month that Taliban authorities have publicly commented on the case of , who were after being taken from their home in central Bamiyan province to the capital, Kabul.
The husband and wife, who are in their 70s, run an organization that provides education and training programs. Family members in the UK have said they are being mistreated in , where they are held on undisclosed charges.
In a message to The Associated Press, Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani did not give details on why the couple was arrested or comment on their treatment.
鈥淭he only thing I can say is that the matter was previously with the Interior Ministry and it has now been handed over to the courts,鈥� Qani said. 鈥淭heir problem (crime) is not that big. God willing, their problem will soon be resolved and a shariah (Islamic law) decision will be made. It is a small matter and should not be a cause for concern.鈥�
A U.S. national who was detained alongside the couple, , was released on March 30 as part of a deal that Qatari negotiators helped to broker. Hall was detained on charges of using a drone without authorization. She is believed to be the from Afghanistan since January.
The Associated Press
