According to British media and a non-governmental organization, three men from Great Britain are being held by the Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan.

They are believed to have been held in custody by the Taliban's secret police since January, Sky News reported on Saturday night. When asked about the three men, Interior Minister Suella Braverman told the broadcaster that the government was “in negotiations”. A UK Foreign Office spokesman said work was being done to ensure consular contact with British nationals held in Afghanistan.

The non-governmental organization Presidium Network says it supports two of the Britons - a 53-year-old doctor and a second man who is said to run a hotel in Kabul. Organization co-founder Scott Richards said the two are believed to be in good health and being treated well. But you have no contact with them.

The third is reportedly a 23-year-old self-proclaimed "danger tourist." He had garnered social media attention in August 2021 after traveling to Afghanistan despite the resurgence of the Taliban. At that time, the militant Islamists had regained power in the war-torn country. The young man had to be evacuated with others at the time.