This story was written during the actual events. At the time it was written, I did not know if I was to escape or be caught and turned over to the Kandahar Police. The story is first person present tense.
My name is Douglas Seaman, and I was held hostage by armed Afghan National Army, (ANA) guards for 11 days. This happens on the ANA Camp Hero, Afghanistan. I was detained from June 29 until June 8 when I could escape. I am now being threatened with arrest and to be taken down to Kandahar City by the ANP (Afghan National Police) for a civil dispute which I am not responsible.
I worked as a project manager for a company called Highland Al-Hujaz (HLH) an American Company who has a license to operate in Afghanistan. Highland Al-Hujaz has many projects in Afghanistan and has sister companies also working in Afghanistan.
As the project manager, I was responsible for the day to day operation of the construction project. At no time did I have the authority to pay suppliers or subcontractors. All the control of the money for this project was by two people Showan and Philip, both Iraqi. The HLH construction operation was all being controlled out of Iraq. I only paid suppliers when the company would provide the funds; otherwise, I have never had the authority to control the funds for the project.
HLH is behind on payment to the suppliers, subcontractors, and employees. As of the 9th June, HLH is in violation of their employment contract with their staff that requires the salary to be paid no later than 7th June. HLH has submitted invoices to USACE for payment, USACE has spent the funds to HLH, but HLH has not paid the employees, suppliers or subcontractors.
One subcontractor Ahmad Jawid Khaliqyar, CEO/President, Global System Provider Construction & Engineering Co. Ltd (GSPCE) has taken out a complaint with the ANP (Afghan National Police) for the four expats that are running the two HLH projects. None of the four people have the authority to pay anything or agree to pay. Two of the people are not even on the project that GSPCE is owed. GSPCE has threatened arrest of all.
On 29th May, GSPCE employee surrounded the man camp of HLH and then overpowers HLH security and enters the living compound. After a few hours of occupation, a fight broke out that almost cost the lives of US and UK citizens. The ANA was across the street and could stop the assaults on HLH employees and was able to remove the workers of GSPCE. It appears that Ahmad Jawid Khaligyar was leading the workers to take over the camp. HLH employees have been told that Ahmad Jawid Khaligyar has threatened to kill some of the HLH staff. Because of the fight, GSPCE has one civil action and one criminal action against HLH
I was taken down to the local NAP station where the issue of payment was discussed, and it was agreed to provide a letter from HLH to Jawid regarding the money owed and for claims that GSPCE has against HLH. In the act of good faith, I surrendered my passport, I realized that if I did not, I would be taken to jail and at this point of the discussion it was better to offer than to have it taken.
Since the occupation of HLH man camp on 29 May, the ANA guards would not allow any of the expats to leave the compound unless the Lt. Col agrees. Some of the expats could not eat at the American base called Camp Lindsey, or to leave the living compound to inspect the work. Sometimes this was with an armed guard, and sometimes only one expat could leave at a time. As the Project Manager of the Contracting Support Brigade, (CSB), I was singled out not to be allowed to leave. Only twice was I able to leave the camp to attend meetings on KAF.
The expats have credible intelligence that Ahmad Jawid Khaligyar has ordered the killing of Joe Rivera one of the expats. Since the fighting of GSPCE at the HLH man camp, HLH had to terminate the contract, and Ahmad Jawid Khaligyar has threatened to get revenge on everyone that was involved. I was one of the many that recommendation termination. On 8th June Ahmad Jawid Khaligyar told me he would return at 1300 to have me arrested. I took him at his word and could leave the man camp since I am not longer an HLH employee; I had made an arrangement with Lt. Col Nawab several days before.
I have not been paid for May, many of the staff has not been paid for April or May. Many suppliers have not been paid in three four or five months. Some debit by HLH goes back more than six months. HLH has invoiced for all this work, has received payment and has not paid the suppliers or the subcontractors. The estimated debt is $500,000 to vendors, $1.1 M to subcontractors and $195,000 to employees.
I have left the HLH man camp, but there are three expats still restricted by the ANA and threaten that GSPCE workers will return to finish what they started. GSPEC was to leave the project three days after termination, but since all GSPCE workers have not been paid by GSPCE for the last three months, HLH is trying to send money to pay the workers so they can leave the project. HLH is not providing the funds required even though it would defuse the security condition on the CSB project.
I need help to avoid wrongful arrest and to be taken down to Kandahar City where it is not safe for an American. I am no longer an HLH employee. I had never had control of the funds of the project. I cannot resolve the issue and should not be arrested, detained, or my freedom of movement is restricted. I am an American citizen that chooses to work in Afghanistan. I have a new job here in Afghanistan and would like to move freely as I need.
I am trying to hire an attorney to fight the charge and to have my passport returned. I need the protection of the US government until such time the issues can be resolved.
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