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Former Taliban Commander Sentenced in US Over Hostage-Taking Case

(MENAFN) A US court has sentenced a former Taliban commander to 42 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, over his involvement in hostage-taking incidents that included an American journalist, according to reports.

The ruling, issued by a New York court, concerned Haji Najibullah, aged 50, who was convicted for his role in the abduction of an American journalist and two Afghan nationals in Afghanistan and Pakistan during 2008 and 2009.

Court documents also indicated that he led Taliban fighters responsible for attacks against US military personnel in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009, which resulted in the deaths of American soldiers.

According to reports, Najibullah pleaded guilty on April 25, 2025, to charges of hostage-taking and providing material support for terrorist activities that led to fatalities.

“Those who harm Americans and engage in acts of terrorism will be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long it takes,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to court records.

“As a Taliban commander, Najibullah supported brutal terrorist attacks that killed American servicemembers and orchestrated the savage hostage-taking of an American journalist and Afghan civilians. Today’s sentence delivers justice for the victims and their families.”

Authorities emphasized that the sentencing reflects ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals involved in international terrorism cases.

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