Wizdom
01-01-06, 14:42
US arrests Aljazeera crew in Kabul
Sunday 01 January 2006, 16:03 Makka Time, 13:03 GMT
US forces have arrested three Aljazeera employees for filming near a US base in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
According to Samar Allawi, the Aljazeera bureau chief, a three-man team comprising Wali Allah Shahin, a correspondent, Nasir Hashimi, a cameraman, and Mahmood Agha, the driver, were filming the removal of concrete block barriers which had been installed outside all military bases and offices of foreigners for protection.
The US military said Aljazeera's team was filming security posts around the headquarters of the coalition command.
On Sunday, Allawi said: "After the declaration of the Afghan Interior Ministry that all the cement blocks will be removed, our team went to film the removal and they were detained by US forces.
"We have not been given a clear answer so far about why they have been detained," he said.
Lieutenant Mike Cody, a US military spokesman, said security forces on contract to the coalition detained the trio, took control of their equipment and passed them on to the Afghan police.
He said the men were held after they were seen "filming security features in the vicinity of Camp Eggers in Kabul".
Afghan police were not available for comment.
Sunday 01 January 2006, 16:03 Makka Time, 13:03 GMT
US forces have arrested three Aljazeera employees for filming near a US base in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
According to Samar Allawi, the Aljazeera bureau chief, a three-man team comprising Wali Allah Shahin, a correspondent, Nasir Hashimi, a cameraman, and Mahmood Agha, the driver, were filming the removal of concrete block barriers which had been installed outside all military bases and offices of foreigners for protection.
The US military said Aljazeera's team was filming security posts around the headquarters of the coalition command.
On Sunday, Allawi said: "After the declaration of the Afghan Interior Ministry that all the cement blocks will be removed, our team went to film the removal and they were detained by US forces.
"We have not been given a clear answer so far about why they have been detained," he said.
Lieutenant Mike Cody, a US military spokesman, said security forces on contract to the coalition detained the trio, took control of their equipment and passed them on to the Afghan police.
He said the men were held after they were seen "filming security features in the vicinity of Camp Eggers in Kabul".
Afghan police were not available for comment.