Ex-Taliban commander pleads guilty to taking US journalist hostage

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Former Taliban commander Haji Najibullah, previously accused of kidnapping an American journalist, appears on charges related to murdering three U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2008 during a court hearing in New York, U.S., October 15, 2021 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -     A former commander in the Taliban has pleaded guilty to taking an American journalist and two Afghan nationals hostage in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2008 and 2009, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday.

Haji Najibullah, 49, an Afghan national, who was charged in 2020 with kidnapping David Rohde, a former Reuters correspondent, faces life in prison.

He previously pleaded guilty in the case. Najibullah also changed his plea to guilty in a case related to the deaths of U.S. troops in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009.

The Justice Department pointed to examples of Taliban fighters - under Najibullah's leadership - targeting the U.S. military in Afghanistan. It also highlighted his comments made during an interview with a French journalist about how he targeted French and American troops.

"These terrorist attacks demonstrated utter disregard for humanity, and Najibullah finally admitted to his role in these premature deaths of our citizens," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said in a statement. 

"Today’s plea emphasizes the FBI New York JTTF’s unwavering resolve to disrupting all acts of terrorism and ensuring any individual who targets our country will be held accountable.”

Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said his office will continue to aggressively pursue those who harm Americans - through acts of terror - regardless of where they are located in the world.

 (Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Marguerita Choy)