Taliban 'hostage' allegedly used rope in his sexual assault

Photo: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

Taliban "hostage" Joshua Boyle, the Canadian who, in October 2012, along with his then-pregnant wife, went backpacking in Afghanistan [because that's a normal destination for backpackers, especially pregnant ones] is now facing a host of new charges including accusations that he carried out a sexual assault with ropes and one sexual attack with a broomstick, after he was freed from captivity by Pakistani troops.

Boyle, 34, who was arrested this month in Ottawa, is the hubby of 31-year-old American Caitlan Coleman Boyle. She bore three children while being held by the Taliban.

The specifics of the accusations against Boyle has not yet been released and a court order prevents publication of Boyle's alleged victim. But Boyle appeared on a video link from an Ottawa detention center in a courtroom. He is now facing an additional 19 charges after prosecutors dropped the original charges.

The CBC reported that one of the charges accused Boyle of administering the alleged victim with Trazodone, an antidepressant. Another accuses him of misleading police into believing someone was suicidal to divert suspicion away from himself.

During the conference, the judge ordered Boyle to undergo a full psychiatric examination. He was found fit to stand trial but his lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, told the court that Boyle would benefit from a fuller assessment at a mental health facility.

Boyle, who may be an extremist sympathizer, is scheduled next to appear in court March 26th. 


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