Taliban demanded for 2 million $ ransom and releasing of 3 commanders to leave Greek social worker.
CHITRAL: Kidnapper who belongs to Nooristan area of Afghanistan demanded of 2 million US dollars and releasing of 3 Afghan commanders from Pakistani Jail as ransom and conditionally in return of releasing of Prof Athanasios Lerounis Greek Engineer who was kidnapped from Brown village of Bumborate of Kalash valley. District administration told this scribe. A delegation leading by Abdul Majeed Qureshi former Nazim Union Council Ayun to Afghanistan’s Nooristan province for negotiations with the kidnapper might be Taliban, returned Chitral after successful negotiations and debates with kidnappers and told reporters that the Greek volunteer had been kept in Kamdesh area and was ‘safe and sound’.
Mr Lerounis, who is revered by the Kalash as their benefactor was kidnapped from Brown village Bumburate of Kalash valley on Sept 8. Members of the delegation were allowed to meet Prof Athanasios Lerounis and they were apprised of the conditions set by the Taliban for his freedom.
The Taliban leaders whose release has been sought include Ubaidullah Akhund, a former defense minister in the Mullah Omar’s government, Mulla Yasir and Qari Rehmatuddin. Abdul Majid Qurshi told the authorities in Chitral about Taliban’s conditions who also handed over a letter written by Prof Athanasios Lerounis addressed to District Coordination Officer Chitral also confirmed by Wazir zada Kalash Chairperson Human Rights Monitoring Committed Kalash valley the letter also to his friends and written on Sept 19 by Prof Athanasios Lerounissaid he was fine and faced no serious problem since he had been kidnapped by Afghan people and taken to Nooristan.
The Taliban leaders whose release has been sought include Ubaidullah Akhund, a former defense minister in the Mullah Omar’s government, Mulla Yasir and Qari Rehmatuddin. Abdul Majid Qurshi told the authorities in Chitral about Taliban’s conditions who also handed over a letter written by Prof Athanasios Lerounis addressed to District Coordination Officer Chitral also confirmed by Wazir zada Kalash Chairperson Human Rights Monitoring Committed Kalash valley the letter also to his friends and written on Sept 19 by Prof Athanasios Lerounissaid he was fine and faced no serious problem since he had been kidnapped by Afghan people and taken to Nooristan.
‘Now I am living with a group of Taliban. They are very hospitable and try their best for my life and security. The behaviors of Taliban to me is very good Prof Athanasios Lerounis revealed in his letter.
‘I would like to thank all those people who are trying their best to solve my problem, especially Mr Majid and Mr Nasir who came to Nooristan to visit me and try to solve the problem.
‘Please call my relatives, members of the Greek Volunteers (NGO) and my embassy in Islamabad and inform them that I am in good health and do not worry about me,’ Prof Athanasios Lerounis,s letter concluded.
Athanasius Lerounis is a prominent social worker representing Greek Teaches association who constructed Justakhan, School, hospital, pipeline for water supply and has been actively engaged in development of the Kalash for the last 15 years and carried out a number of projects in health and education sectors, besides preserving the Kalash culture.
Kalash people also protested against his kidnapping and warned that if the government fails to secure the release of the Greek volunteer they will migrate and exile to be shift to another country after Eidul Fitr in protest.
They have also offered to sell their properties to pay the ransom money for his release. It is worth to mention here that Greek people claiming that Kalash are their offspring and linking to their genealogy that is why they spending a huge amount for benefit of Kalash people as well as to preserve their thousands years old history.
G.H. Faroqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No 03025989602, 0943-302295, 414418
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