By DPA
Kandahar (Afghanistan) : Hundreds of Afghan women Thursday demonstrated in southern Kandahar province to condemn the abduction of female US aid worker and demand her immediate release.
They described the abduction as a violation of Islamic and Afghan values, and urged the government to step up efforts to secure the release of Cyd Mizell, 49, who worked with the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation.
The women also called on Afghani tribal elders to use their influence to gain the victim’s freedom.
Some unidentified armed men kidnapped Mizell and her driver in southern Kandahar Jan 26. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and a Taliban spokesman has denied involvement.
Abductions of foreign citizens have increased in Afghanistan in recent years. The most recent case involved four members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the eastern province of Wardak in September.
Two dozen Christian aid workers from South Korea were kidnapped while travelling from Kandahar to Kabul by bus in July. Two of the hostages were shot and two women were freed.
The Taliban finally agreed to free the remaining 19 in exchange for a pledge from South Korea to end missionary work in Afghanistan and withdraw its troops from the country by the end of the year.