FBI Investigates Kidnapping of New York Times Reporter David Rohde

June 20, 2009 -- Washington D.C. -- FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge, Joseph M. Demarest issued the following statement concerning New York Times Reporter David Rohde:

"On June 19, David Rohde, a reporter for the New York Times contacted family members to advise he had escaped from his abductors. Rohde was taken hostage in Afghanistan on November 10, 2008. The FBI is working with the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense to see that Mr. Rohde receives medical attention and is reunited with his family."

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"Since Mr. Rohde's abduction, the FBI has been fully engaged in the investigation. We have worked closely with the Rohde family and the NY Times. The investigation is being coordinated by the NY Field Office through the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The investigation drew on resources from the FBI's Boston Field Office, the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) as well as FBI personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The investigation is continuing."

"Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassies in Kabul and Islamabad as well as the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan."

Another captive, an Afghan national who was with Mr. Rohde when he was kidnapped also escaped and is being assisted by U.S. authorities.

Source: FBI