Alleged detention of an ex-soldier in Afghanistan: Canada takes the situation “very seriously”

Canada takes “very seriously” the alleged detention of a former member of the Canadian special forces in Afghanistan, reported by Canadian media, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday.

Retired soldier David Lavery, according to Canadian television CTV News, was reportedly apprehended by the Taliban on Monday shortly after landing in Kabul. According to the media, citing several anonymous sources, his whereabouts are unknown.

“Above all, I can assure you that the Canadian government takes the situation very, very seriously,” Justin Trudeau told journalists, interviewed on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit which ended Saturday in Lima.

Media notoriety

The Prime Minister added that consular assistance had been provided to David Lavery’s family, but declined to comment further on the matter, citing “operational and confidentiality reasons”.

David Lavery, recalled CTV News, had gained media notoriety in 2021 by helping around a hundred people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul and the chaotic withdrawal of American and allied forces.

David Lavery has in recent years managed a private security company in Afghanistan, traveling to the country several times, according to the media.

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