Canadian released by Taliban charged with sexual assault

A Canadian man who was kidnapped by the Taliban and held for years with his family had his bail hearing delayed on Monday. Joshua Boyle, 34, is facing 15 charges over crimes allegedly committed in Canada after his return.

Boyle and his American wife Caitlin Coleman were in war-torn Afghanistan in 2012 on what they said was a backpacking trip. They were captured by the Taliban, and later transferred to the Haqqani faction, the group that also held American soldier Bowe Bergdahl.

Boyle and Coleman were freed last October, along with their three children who were born in captivity. The Pakistani military told US and Canadian officials that the family were saved in a daring rescue operation, but some have cast doubt on that claim due to Pakistan's rumored ties to the Haqqani network.

After their release, Boyle said that the Taliban had raped his wife and killed one of their children.

Since returning to Canada, prosecutors say Joshua Boyle has committed numerous crimes, including sexual assault, assault, illegal confinement, issuing death threats, and misleading police.

Coleman said that the "strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state."

She said that she hoped "help and healing can be found for him."

Although the judge was set to issue a ruling on Boyle's request to be freed on bail, following a request from defense lawyers, the hearing was rescheduled to January 15.

es/ (AFP, Reuters)