US journalist rips ‘cowardly’ and ‘cruel’ Taliban commander — who’s sentenced to 42 years for kidnapping him

Former Taliban commander Haji Najibullah received a 42-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in April 2025. He admitted to providing material support for terrorism and conspiring to take hostages, including the kidnapping of US journalist David Rohde. Rohde characterized the crime as cowardly and cruel during court proceedings. The conviction also relates to the killings of US soldiers, marking a significant legal conclusion for the ex-commander's involvement in these violent acts.