KANDAHAR, May 27: Taliban militants have freed three Afghans abducted with two French colleagues nearly two months ago, their aid group and a spokesman for the extremist movement said on Sunday. Their ongoing detention even after the release of the French nationals had raised fears the Afghans would be executed like some previous hostages.

But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they were found “not guilty,” and that there had been numerous demands for their release.

“Our court and leadership council decided to free them,” he said in a telephone call from an unknown location, adding that they had been released on Saturday.

The French aid organisation Terre d'Enfance and local police confirmed on Sunday that the men were now free.

“Fifty-two days after their kidnapping, Rasul, Hashim and Azrat have today been freed,” Antoine Vuillaume, the president of the organisation said.

“They arrived this morning in Zaranj where they have rejoined their families,” referring to a town in Nimroz province, southwest Afghanistan.

Nimroz police chief Mohammad Daud Askaryar said: “The families of the three abducted Afghans assured us that they have returned home safe and sound.” French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his delight at their release.

“The president thanks all those who worked so hard for the three Afghans to be freed,” the statement from the Elysee palace said.

The three Afghans and their two French colleagues, Eric Damfreville and Celine Cordelier, were kidnapped in southern Afghanistan on April 3.—AFP