(Reuters) – Herbert Fritz, an 84-year-old Austrian far-right nationalist who was detained in Afghanistan in May of last year, was released by the Taliban on Sunday.
The Austrian government said in a statement regarding the release of their citizen that the release of their citizen happened due to the mediation of Qatar.
Der Standard, an Austrian daily, said that Fritz had visited Afghanistan following his detention and had returned with excellent reports of life there. According to the research, this contributed to the anti-immigration narrative that refugees could safely return to Afghanistan.
According to the newspaper Taliban arrested him because of charges of espionage and spying.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry said it had been trying since May to get Fritz released, and it expressed gratitude to Qatar and the EU embassy in Kabul for supporting its efforts. Fritz was eventually brought back to Austria.
The National Democratic Party (NDP), an extreme right organization outlawed in 1988, claims Fritz as a founder member. This information is reported in Der Standard and other publications.
Far right freedom party of Austria which has been pushing for Fritz's release in anticipation of the legislative elections that are scheduled for later this year. According to the party, he was in Afghanistan conducting research for a book.
The foreign ministry of Qatar express their gratitude towards the Taliban administration regarding the cooperation for the release of Austrian citizen.
The Austrian resistance documentation center which is responsible for monitoring the far right activities describes Fritz as an extremist right wing politician.
