§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to secure the release of Dr. Pinder-Wilson by the Afghan Government; and what has been the response.
§ Mr. HurdSince Dr. Pinder-Wilson's detention on 28 March, we have made repeated representations to the Karmal regime for details of why he has been detained and for regular consular access to him. We have not been given adequate information and our consular officials in Kabul have seen him only once. On that occasion restrictions were placed on the meeting.
We are seriously concerned about reports on the Afghan media that Dr. Pinder-Wilson has been put on trial and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. We are pressing for clarification, and the Afghan chargé d'affaires was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 7 July to receive a protest.
We are in close touch with Dr. Pinder-Wilson's family and colleagues.