French photographer kidnapped in Afghanistan released after 4 months

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says a French freelance photographer kidnapped nearly four months ago in Kabul has been freed.

Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi on Monday confirmed the release of 30-year-old Pierre Borghi, but provided no other details.

He referred all questions to the French government. There was no immediate comment from the Foreign Ministry in Paris.

Unknown gunmen kidnapped Borghi in late November in a residential area of the Afghan capital, Kabul. A French aid worker was later kidnapped in the same area but was subsequently freed.

It was unclear if Borghi had been taken by insurgents, the Taliban or criminal gangs.

Kidnappings, mostly of wealthy Afghans, have been on the rise around the country, and foreigners living in Kabul also are seen as targets.