German woman snatched in Kabul

Last Modified: 18 Aug 2007
By: Tom Clarke

Armed men have abducted a German woman from a restaurant in the Afghan capital.

Intelligence officials say the men pulled up outside a barbecue and fast food restaurant. One went inside and ordered a pizza, then pulled out a pistol, walked up to a table where the woman was sitting with her husband, and dragged her outside.

The woman is thought to be a 31-year-old aid worker. German officials could not yet confirm the reports.

It is thought to be quite rare for such a bold snatch to be made in the capital, where there are high levels of security. It could mean the woman was specifically targeted rather than taken opportunistically, perhaps due to the previous actions of the German authorities, who are known to have paid ransoms for hostages in the past.

UN staff in Kabul have been told not to move around the city and to take extra care with security. Other foreigners are also being given extra security.