The Guardian · US news · Original story
Kidnapped US journalist faces Taliban captor in court as 42-year sentence caps long saga
Haji Najibullah imprisoned for role in capture of David Rohde, New York Times journalist held for months in 2008
Haji Najibullah appeared unbothered as he walked into Manhattan federal court earlier this week to learn whether he would face life behind bars for his role in brutal violence during his time as a Taliban commander – including the 2008 kidnapping of US journalist David Rohde.
Najibullah, who walked into the courtroom in shackles at about 9.50am Monday, sporting khaki jail garb and a black skullcap, could even be seen grinning at various points before proceedings started.
Continue reading...
Victoria Bekiempis in New York · Sat, Jun 13, 2026, 7:00 AM
US news | The Guardian
Haji Najibullah imprisoned for role in capture of David Rohde, New York Times journalist held for months in 2008
Haji Najibullah appeared unbothered as he walked into Manhattan federal court earlier this week to learn whether he would face life behind bars for his role in brutal violence during his time as a Taliban commander – including the 2008 kidnapping of US journalist David Rohde.
Najibullah, who walked into the courtroom in shackles at about 9.50am Monday, sporting khaki jail garb and a black skullcap, could even be seen grinning at various points before proceedings started.
Continue reading...This page shows an excerpt; reporting belongs to the original publisher. Some images or embeds may be omitted compared with the live article.
← More stories · Front page