Taliban Issue Statement, Warning US Hostage is Seriously Ill

Taliban issued a statement today warning that the American hostage they are holding, Kevin King, is extremely ill and needs urgent health care.
The insurgent group kidnapped King, along with an Australian Tim Weeks just over a year ago. Both were professors at the American University of Afghanistan.
Taliban said in their statement, “Among the two, the American teacher (Kevin King) has a dangerous heart and kidney disease.”
In response to this warning, the Director of Communications for the American University of Afghanistan, Zubaida Akbar, said in a statement that its Board of Trustees, students, staff and faculty are deeply saddened and disturbed to receive the news about the deteriorating health condition of Kevin King through a statement released by the Taliban.
Akbar added that they are innocent victims of a criminal abduction. They came to Afghanistan to teach Afghan youth and contribute to building a peaceful Afghanistan. They have done no harm to anyone. We strongly urge the Taliban immediately to release Mr. King and Mr. Weeks unharmed.
On a personal level, a message was sent to King via the statement, which read, “Kevin, we are immensely sad to hear about your health situation. Please know that you and Tim remain in our thoughts and prayers. We will not stop trying to work for your release. We urge your kidnappers to release you at once.”