The Taliban has released a video of a Canadian man captured in central Afghanistan whom they accuse of being a Canadian spy.
Colin Rutherford, 26, was detained in Ghazni city by insurgents who accused him of collecting secret information.
In the video released Sunday, the Taliban threatens to put Rutherford on trial for spying unless Canada's government accepts unspecified demands for his release.
"The evidence and documents found in his possession had shown that he entered Afghanistan for spying purposes and was an active agent, gathering intelligence on the Taliban," said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the group, in a email sent to a number of news organizations.
It is unclear what demands have been given to Canadian officials to secure the man's release. Mujahid said the Canadian government was aware of what the Taliban wants.
Lisa Monette, a spokesperson with the Department of Foreign Affairs, said Canadian officials are working with Afghan authorities to assist in securing the safe release of the man.
"We are aware that the Taliban issued a press release, including a link to a video, earlier today in Afghanistan. Colin Rutherford, a Canadian citizen, is missing in Afghanistan after travelling to the country as a tourist," she said in a statement to CTV News.
"Canadian officials are working with Afghan authorities to assist the family in securing the safe release of their loved one. We ask that the media respect the privacy of the family.
"The Government of Canada strongly advises against all travel to Afghanistan."
In the video, Rutherford answers questions from an unseen interrogator in a calm voice. He describes himself as an auditor from Toronto and denies working for the Canadian government.
The man says he had travelled to Afghanistan because he had an interest in its history. When asked about religion, he answers: "I don't have a religion. I guess I'd call it agnostic."
In February, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Rutherford had been kidnapped.
They said he had travelled to Afghanistan as a tourist, despite warnings to avoid travel to Afghanistan.
In the past, the Taliban has freed some hostages after ransoms were paid or as part of prisoner swaps.
A Dutch aid worker and his Afghan driver, abducted by the Taliban in Afghanistan's north last October, were freed in December. Two French television journalists who were kidnapped by the Taliban northeast of Kabul more than a year ago are still being held.
With reports from the Associated Press
