A general view shows the city of Kabul on Oct. 14. David Lavery, known as 'Canadian Dave,' has supported vulnerable Afghans for at least a decade, including the years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP/Getty Images
The Taliban’s intelligence and security forces have arrested a former Canadian soldier who is well known for his work helping Afghans come to Canada to seek refuge, according to a Canadian government source.
David Lavery, known as “Canadian Dave,” has supported vulnerable Afghans for at least a decade, including the years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. His company, Raven Rae Consultancy Services, says on its website that it focuses on humanitarian aid, life support, and safety and security management for governmental and non-governmental organizations and development groups.
The government source told The Globe and Mail that Mr. Lavery is being held by the General Directorate of Intelligence in Kabul, the Taliban’s intelligence agency. The source was unable to say what led to him being detained.
The Globe is not naming the source because they were not authorized to discuss the matter under privacy laws.
The source said that Ottawa has asked the European Union, which has a presence in Afghanistan, to help negotiate Mr. Lavery’s release. The federal government shuttered its embassy there in August, 2021, hours before the Taliban swept to power after a chaotic withdrawal of Western troops.
In 2022, Ottawa appointed David Sproule as Canada’s special representative to Afghanistan. Mr. Sproule told The Globe recently that he speaks with Taliban officials about consular cases and about issues regarding Canada’s position on their policies.
Global Affairs Canada would not say if Mr. Sproule is involved in the negotiations over Mr. Lavery’s release.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters gathered at a press conference in Peru at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit that Canada is taking the situation “very, very seriously.”
“We have already engaged with consular assistance for the family, but for operational and reasons of privacy, I think you’ll understand that I can’t get into further elements of what we are doing,” he said.
Mr. Lavery’s company was headquartered in Kabul for ten years, but it relocated to Dubai in August, 2021, after the Taliban takeover. The company maintained its presence in Afghanistan by training locals to support its work.
On Sunday, Global Affairs Canada would only reiterate a previously issued statement saying that Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are providing consular assistance.