REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TORONTO -- A Canadian man, Colin Rutherford, held by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2010, has been released, Canada's government has announced. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said in a statement on Monday (11/1) that Rutherford was a tourist in Afghanistan when he was seized by the Taliban in November 2010, Al Jazeera reported.

"Canada is very pleased that efforts undertaken to secure the release of Colin Rutherford from captivity have been successful," he said.

He stated that he looked forward to Rutherford being able to return to Canada and reunite with his family and loved ones. The Government of Canada would continue to provide Rutherford with consular assistance and will assist in facilitating his safe return home

The Taliban released a video of Rutherford in 2011 and accused the 26-year-old of being a spy. Rutherford insisted he was not a spy and had travelled to Afghanistan to study historical sites and shrines. He said in the video that he is an auditor from Canada and came as a tourist.

The Canadian Circulations Audit Board said in an email that Rutherford was working for them in Toronto when he went on vacation to Afghanistan.

"This is great news," Tim Peel, the company's vice president, said in an email. "We wish him a safe and speedy return and would like to thank all the parties involved in securing his freedom."

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