A pregnant New Zealand journalist was welcomed by the Taliban in Kabul after her country did not allow her to return from Qatar due to anti-Covid regulations.
Charlotte Bellis, this is the name of the reporter who told her "brutally ironic" story to the New Zealand Herald, in August had worked in Afghanistan for Al Jazira together with her partner, the Belgian photographer Jim Huylebroek. She returned to Doha headquarters in September when she realized she was pregnant. Being illegal in Qatar to wait for a child without being married, the journalist decided to return to New Zealand but the strict anti-Covid regulations imposed in her country prevented her entry. At that point she and her partner moved to Belgium but not having a residence permit, they could not stay. The only other country for which the couple had a visa was Afghanistan and so Charlotte decided to turn to her contacts among senior Taliban officials. "We are happy for you, you can stay here, you will not have any problem ", they told her adding to say they are married but if it turns out that she is not married," call them. "" Everything will be fine ", they reassured her.
Bellis, who is due to give birth to a baby girl in May, has not yet been able to return to New Zealand but said telling her story has speeded up the entry process.
New Zealand's Covid Emergency Minister Chris Hipkins has asked for an investigation into her case.