A shocking crime has come to light as Haji Najibullah, also known as Najibullah Naim, Abu Tayeb, and Atiqullah, has been arrested and charged with six counts related to the 2008 kidnapping of an American journalist and two Afghan nationals.
The alleged kidnapping took place on November 10, 2008, when Najibullah and his co-conspirators, armed with machineguns, took the three hostages at gunpoint in Afghanistan. Five days later, they forced the hostages to hike across the border to Pakistan, where they were detained.
For the next seven months, Najibullah and his co-conspirators held the hostages captive in Pakistan. During their captivity, the victims were forced to make numerous calls and videos seeking help, including one in which the American journalist begged for his life while a guard pointed a machinegun at his face.
Najibullah, a/k/a Najibullah Naim, a/k/a Abu Tayeb, a/k/a Atiqullah, will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
According to the Indictment, Najibullah faces six counts, including kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and other related charges. The prosecution of Najibullah shows that law enforcement will never stop in their mission to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes against American citizens.
Haji Najibullah’s alleged kidnapping of a United States journalist and two Afghan nationals was a crime against America, a crime against the freedom of the press, and against the integral work of shining a light on important international affairs.
Defendant: Haji Najibullah
Criminal Charges: Six counts of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and other related charges
City and State: New York
Exact Date: November 10, 2008
Sentence or Outcome: Currently in U.S. custody awaiting trial
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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