Skip to content

Foreign Affairs Minister Joly says Canadian released from detention in Afghanistan

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canadian David Lavery has safely made it to Qatar from Afghanistan with the help of the Qatari government.
515e96407140adcc2cd1b6ad3a4981670d09bd7cb3dd4fdabd18e0f53ed5e5fd

Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly answers questions from journalists before a meeting of the Liberal caucus in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canadian David Lavery has safely made it to Qatar from Afghanistan with the help of the Qatari government.

The Canadian Armed Forces veteran went missing in Kabul back in November, according to the Veterans Transition Network.

Lavery had been working with the group to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

The Veterans Transition Network said he was believed to have been detained by the Afghan government.

The country has been under Taliban rule since 2021.

Joly says on social media that she spoke with Lavery and he is "in good spirits."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2025.

The Canadian Press Staff



If you would like to apply to become a Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.