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Taleban kill Afghanistan reporter Taleban kill Afghanistan reporter
(about 4 hours later)
The Taleban in Afghanistan have killed an Afghan reporter abducted last month with an Italian journalist.The Taleban in Afghanistan have killed an Afghan reporter abducted last month with an Italian journalist.
The group said it had killed Ajmal Naqshbandi as the government had refused to meet its demands to release senior figures from prison. The group said it had killed Ajmal Naqshbandi because the government had refused to meet its demands to release senior figures from prison.
The Italian reporter, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, was released after five Taleban members were freed in exchange. Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo was released after five Taleban members were freed in exchange. The driver, Sayed Agha, was beheaded last month.
The two reporters and their driver, who was earlier beheaded, were captured on 6 March in Helmand province. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has condemned Mr Naqshbandi's killing.
The two reporters and their driver were captured on 6 March in Helmand province.
Shohaabuddin Atal, a spokesman for Taleban commander Mullah Dadullah, said: "We killed Ajmal today because the government did not respond to our demands."Shohaabuddin Atal, a spokesman for Taleban commander Mullah Dadullah, said: "We killed Ajmal today because the government did not respond to our demands."
Italian dealItalian deal
The Afghan government's intelligence services spokesman, Saeed Ansari, confirmed Mr Naqshbandi had been killed.The Afghan government's intelligence services spokesman, Saeed Ansari, confirmed Mr Naqshbandi had been killed.
Mr Mastrogiacomo was freed in an exchange with Taleban prisonersMr Mastrogiacomo was freed in an exchange with Taleban prisoners
Tom Koenigs, UN special envoy to Afghanistan, said: "I condemn this senseless murder unreservedly and call on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice."Tom Koenigs, UN special envoy to Afghanistan, said: "I condemn this senseless murder unreservedly and call on the authorities to bring those responsible to justice."
The Italian government echoed the call, saying the killing was "absurd bloodshed". In Italy, Mr Prodi said he "learned with anguish" of Mr Naqshbandi's death. "We strongly condemn this absurd crime," he said.
Ajmal Naqshbandi worked as a guide and translator for visiting foreign reporters.Ajmal Naqshbandi worked as a guide and translator for visiting foreign reporters.
He was abducted with Mr Mastrogiacomo and their driver at a Taleban checkpoint and originally accused of spying for the British army.He was abducted with Mr Mastrogiacomo and their driver at a Taleban checkpoint and originally accused of spying for the British army.
The reporters' driver was beheaded to put pressure on negotiations for their release.The reporters' driver was beheaded to put pressure on negotiations for their release.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says after intense lobbying from the Italians, a deal was done. The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says after intense lobbying from the Italians, a deal was done. Five Taleban were allowed to go and Mr Mastrogiacomo was set free.
Five Taleban were allowed to go and Mr Mastrogiacomo was set free.
Our correspondent says there was outrage in Afghanistan that the government would firstly bow to its enemy's demands and secondly that it would save a foreigner but not an Afghan.Our correspondent says there was outrage in Afghanistan that the government would firstly bow to its enemy's demands and secondly that it would save a foreigner but not an Afghan.
The Taleban are still holding five government medics and two French aid workers along with three Afghan colleagues. The Taleban are still holding five government medics and two French aid workers along with three Afghan colleagues. Their fate will be decided next, they say.
Their fate will be decided next, they say.
President Hamid Karzai has ruled out any more hostage deals with the Taleban.President Hamid Karzai has ruled out any more hostage deals with the Taleban.
"[Mr Mastrogiacomo] was an extraordinary situation and won't be repeated again," Mr Karzai said on Friday. "No more deals with no-one and with no other country.""[Mr Mastrogiacomo] was an extraordinary situation and won't be repeated again," Mr Karzai said on Friday. "No more deals with no-one and with no other country."