Taliban Deny Hostage's Accusations

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A Taliban spokesman has rejected as "false and propaganda" the allegations of rescued Canadian hostage Joshua Boyle that his child was murdered and his wife raped during his captivity in Afghanistan.

Zabihuallah Mujahid in a statement Sunday said the accusations against the Taliban are "baseless and false."

Mujahid said the young girl died after falling ill in an area where no doctor or medicines were available, and that Boyle was never separated from his wife his during captivity.

He added that the released hostage was now in the hands of "the enemy" and can be pressured into say anything against the Taliban.

Boyle and his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, and their three children were rescued Wednesday, five years after being abducted while on a backpacking trip in Afghanistan.

(KA)