The mother of a man captured by the Taliban has said she desperately wants to know if he’s safe. Known as a ‘danger tourist’, Miles Routledge was reportedly arrested on March 2 along with Polish nationals Adrian Wojcik, 22, and Roman Bilski, 24, and is being held for questioning.
According to the Mail Onlinetwo of the other captured British men were allowed to call home today.
The families of charity doctor Kevin Cornwell, 53, and a British hotel manager spoke of their “great relief” when they heard their voices for the first time since their arrest nearly three months ago.
The calls – which were said to be unscripted – lasted just under two minutes.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said this morning the government is “in negotiations” with the Taliban for the release of the British – with Miles Routledge the third to be captured.
Miles, 23, first made headlines when he went on a “holiday” to Afghanistan as the Taliban took over the country.
Miles decided to return to Afghanistan despite being labeled an “idiot” after having to be evacuated from Kabul when the country returned to Taliban rule in 2021.
His mother reportedly fought back tears when she spoke about his disappearance. Ms Routledge, 64, from Birmingham, told the Daily Mail that she mostly kept up to date with her son’s travels on social media, but he hasn’t posted online since March 16.
Mrs. Routledge said, “I’m distraught. It’s so worrying. I just want help to find out what happened to him and make sure he is okay.
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“If he’s being treated well, that’s good to hear, as long as he’s being treated well. If I can send a message to those holding him, I want to ask them to tell him he has my love and support.” .”
Ms Routledge said she has not yet heard from the Home Office about her son’s disappearance.
“I’m just desperate to know he’s safe,” she added. “I don’t know who’s holding him or where he is.”
His mother said it was his love of travel that led him to return to Afghanistan despite the criticism.
“He keeps traveling because he loves it, he’s still young and he won’t find himself until after college. I just want him to stay safe,” she said.
A Taliban security officer said the group of three men engaged in “suspicious activities”.
Scott Richards, a negotiator for the Presidium Network group, who is assisting Mr Cornwell’s relatives and the hotel manager, said: “We can confirm that the men have spoken to family, the conversation was not on the script and they are being treated fairly.
“The families were able to talk to them for about two minutes and they were able to speak freely. It was clearly an important and emotional call and represents a huge advancement in the situation. The details of those calls are private, but we understand that it is a great relief for the families.
“The relief Kevin’s family expressed after hearing his voice for the first time in three months, not knowing if he was okay, brought a sense of peace and gave them hope that this situation will be resolved soon.”