A German engineer held by Taliban insurgents since July said he lives with the militants "like family" but pleaded with Germany and Afghanistan to help facilitate his release, according to a new videotape Monday.| Blechschmidt says he had been recently released into the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross but was taken back into Taliban custody. "Now we plea to German government and Afghan government, give us some help and make a deal with the Taliban to release us before the winter time starting." |
Four employees with the International Committee of the Red Cross were kidnapped September 27 while trying to facilitate the German's release. The four, taken hostage by the Taliban, were released in good health two days later.