Taliban authorities release two UN staff, UN says

Taliban authorities have released two United Nations staff members detained in Herat more than a week earlier, and the charges against them have been dropped, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Thursday.

A UNAMA spokesman told AFP the two Afghan national staff members were released on Thursday morning after being detained by the de facto authorities in the western province on August 9. The spokesman said the two men appeared to be in good health.

Afghan officials had given no reason for their detention. The UNAMA spokesman called for respect for UN privileges and immunities, as well as staff safety and freedom of movement across Afghanistan.

Multiple UN agencies work in Afghanistan, including in health and humanitarian response. Afghanistan has been governed for five years by Taliban authorities, which rule according to a strict interpretation of Islamic law.