Negotiations with kidnappers are still stuck on time of release.

Kabul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Negotiations for the release of Italian aid worker Clementina Cantoni, who was kidnapped on May 16 in Kabul, are still stalled.

Afghan authorities are still sounding reassuring as to the young woman's conditions, whilst negotiators are trying to enlist prominent figures such as Zahir Shah, the last King of Afghanistan, now more commonly known as the "Father of the Nation".

In the meantime, Timor Shah, the kidnappers' alleged chief, continues to demand the release of his mother, who is in detention for her role in another abduction.

Afghan authorities are willing to release the woman whom they say was detained but not arrested.

The major stumbling block is Timor Shah's insistence that his mother be released first instead of the negotiators' demand that both she and the Italian aid worker be set free simultaneously.

Red tape seems to be an additional factor in delaying the release.

All parties are interested in a quick solution to the incident, one investigator said. Otherwise, there is a possibility that among the kidnappers (almost 20 people) someone might be tempted to challenge Timor Shah's leadership and raise the stakes, demanding a large ransom and the release of more detainees.

"For the time being, we know that he is in control of the situation," the investigator said.

Timor Shah once headed the Criminal Division in Kabul's Second District under the Taliban regime and knows how to negotiate and handle certain people. "But there is no certainty that he will be able to do so forever".

Some have called for the mediation of the former King Zahir Shah who remains a charismatic figure in the country. The King also spent much of his time in exile in Italy.

• afghanistan
• abduction
• clementina
• cantoni
• negotiations
• release
• foreigners
• security
• ngos