Chicago – June 10, 2026
A former Taliban commander has been sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for his role in attacks that killed American soldiers and for orchestrating the kidnapping of journalists in Afghanistan, U.S. authorities announced.
Haji Najibullah received the sentence in a Manhattan federal court after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges, including providing material support to the Taliban and conspiring to take hostages. Prosecutors said his actions contributed to attacks that killed three U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter between 2007 and 2009.
The case also centered on the 2008 kidnapping of journalist David Rohde, along with Afghan journalist Tahir Ludin and driver Asadullah Mangal. The three men were held captive for more than seven months before Rohde and Ludin escaped from a compound in Pakistan.
During the sentencing hearing, Rohde addressed the court and criticized Najibullah for failing to fully accept responsibility for his actions. Prosecutors argued that the former commander played a significant role in Taliban operations targeting coalition forces and civilians.
Judge Katherine Polk Failla said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes while taking into account Najibullah’s guilty plea. Federal officials described the ruling as a message that individuals responsible for terrorist acts against Americans can be prosecuted regardless of how much time has passed.
Najibullah was extradited to the United States in 2020 and pleaded guilty in 2025. He had faced the possibility of a life sentence before receiving the 42-year prison term.
