Lincoln father recalls his torment as a hostage of the Taliban

One year ago today, Afghanistan's capital fell to the Taliban after Western troops implemented withdrawal, resulting in thousands of people desperate to leave the country out of fear.

Lincoln man, Anthony Stephen Malone was in Kabul at the time, helping with the evacuation of citizens, on a self- funded humanitarian mission, when he was captured by an element of the Taliban.

Mr Malone recalls his experience:

"December the 13th, last year 2021. I was picked up off the street by the Taliban in Kabul and I was held hostage for 190 days, 6 months, I was never charged with any offence.

"I was kept in the Taliban Intelligence Headquarters in an underground interrogation centre for the majority of the time. I didn't see daylight for the first couple of months I was actually there.

"Conditions were challenging at best, and obviously a few of us were ill treated while we were actually in there as well. I received a few injuries, which ranged from 6 fractured ribs, bruised kidneys, kidney infection, nerve damage to the right side of my body where my feet got whipped. There was a couple of dark times in there.

"Did I actually everything they were going to take me outside and execute me? Shoot me in the head? Yes."

"There was a couple of times that it wasn't looking too good. But, I'm not the sort of person who's gonna curl up in a corner and just die. I just rolled up me sleeves… you get on with it. You keep a positive mindset, positive attitude."

The former British Army Paratrooper continued to detail the circumstances were unforgiving- with little water, food and sunlight.

After spending a total of 9 months in Afghanistan, Anthony Malone was finally returned home in June, stating:

"I'm happy to report that all the British nationals have returned safe and sound to their families in the United Kingdom, and the American national was returned to his family as well, safe and sound."

You can see a video of the interview here: