Former Taliban commander sentenced to 42 years for terrorism offenses and kidnapping journalist David Rohde
A former Taliban commander has been sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for terrorism-related offenses, including his role in the 2008 kidnapping of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Rohde and two companions in Afghanistan.
The sentence was handed down in Manhattan federal court after a hearing that included emotional testimony from Rohde, who confronted Haji Najibullah directly and criticized him for failing to fully accept responsibility for his actions. Rohde said he was disappointed by what he viewed as attempts to shift blame for the kidnapping that changed the lives of everyone involved.
Rohde, another journalist, and a driver were abducted in Afghanistan after being lured to what they believed would be an interview. The three men were held captive for more than seven months before escaping from a Taliban-controlled compound in Pakistan’s tribal region.
Najibullah, 50, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to providing material support for terrorism and conspiring to take hostages. He admitted supplying weapons and other support to the Taliban between 2007 and 2009 while knowing the assistance would be used in attacks against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
During the sentencing hearing, Najibullah apologized to Rohde and his family, expressing regret for his role in the kidnapping and acknowledging the harm caused by his actions.
Rohde told the court that the ordeal began because of deceptive promises that ultimately led him into an ambush. He described hostage-taking as a cruel crime that places immense emotional strain on victims and their families, who often feel powerless while loved ones remain in captivity.
Despite recounting the personal impact of his abduction, Rohde said the suffering endured by him and those close to him was overshadowed by the deaths of three U.S. soldiers killed in a separate operation involving Najibullah’s associates. As he spoke, he repeatedly honored the fallen service members, becoming emotional while reflecting on their sacrifice, the pain experienced by his family and his continued commitment to journalism.
The sentence brings to a close a high-profile case involving terrorism, hostage-taking and violence linked to the Taliban during the war in Afghanistan.
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