British nationals held by Taliban in Afghanistan

Three British men, including a charity medic and a self-styled danger tourist, are being held in custody by the Taliban in Afghanistan, it has been reported.

Kevin Cornwell, a 53-year-old charity medic and another British national who runs a hotel for aid workers in Kabul, who hasn't been named, was arrested in January by the Taliban's secret police.

Miles Routledge, 23, who was rescued from British armed forces less than two years ago during the Kabul airlift, returned to the country after being evacuated by British armed forces less than two years ago after he travelled there for a holiday and was caught up in the chaos of the Taliban takeover.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO confirmed it was attempting to secure consular contact with British nationals detained and was supporting their families.

An FCDO spokeswoman said we are working hard to secure consular contact with British nationals detained in Afghanistan and that we are supporting families. A source said the UK government engages pragmatically with the Taliban on priorities including human rights, counter-terrorism and humanitarian aid.

Cornwell, a Middlesbrough man, was arrested on 11 January in a raid by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence GDI, after Taliban agents accused him of having an illegal firearm in his room at the Darya Village Hotel. The hotel's British manager was arrested in the same raid.

Cornwell's family said he was issued a licence for the handgun by the Taliban government. He had been in the country working as a medic for Iqarus International, which provides free health care to local people.

The two men detained in the raid have been held in a secured unit for foreign nationals run by the GDI. They have not been granted legal representation and no charges have been brought. Their families are supported by Scott Richards, an experienced negotiator with the Presidium Network, a British non-profit organisation that works in conflict zones.

Richards said that despite having spoken with multiple witnesses to the events, it is possible that we may be looking at a misunderstanding with GDI who may have been reacting to a tip.

The weapon in Kevin's room was stored with the license issued by the Taliban ministry of interior and was apparently kept inside its holster.

The weapon had never been carried, and never left the safe. Richards said that the detainees have not been allowed access to international observers or consular officials.

There is no clarity as to the legal process in Afghanistan, such as the right to representation. There is no clarity on the charges. Five British nationals held by the Taliban for about six months, including former BBC cameraman and Afghanistan expert Peter Jouvenal, were released in June.

The five were seized separately, and British sources said nothing was given in return for their release except an apology by them.

The FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan because of the security risks, including detention.