David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who aided in evacuating Afghans during the fall of Kabul, has been arrested by the Taliban, according to Canadian media reports.
CTV National News, citing unnamed sources, reported that Lavery was detained shortly after arriving in Kabul on a flight Monday. His current whereabouts remain unknown, but sources say he is being held by the Taliban.
Lavery, who operates a private security firm, Raven Rae Consulting Services, has been a familiar figure in Afghanistan for years. Known locally as “Canadian Dave,” he played a prominent role in 2021 during the chaotic evacuation from Hamid Karzai International Airport. Lavery and his team helped extract individuals with valid Canadian documentation, coordinating with evacuees who were instructed to wear red and look for him amid the crowd.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed in an email that it is “aware of an incident involving a Canadian in Afghanistan.” The agency added, “Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are providing consular assistance.”
CTV News reported that it reached out to Global Affairs Canada to confirm whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office had been briefed on Lavery’s arrest, but officials declined to comment.
During the fall of Kabul in August 2021, Lavery helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan, working under precarious conditions as thousands of Afghans sought refuge. A source speaking to CTV expressed surprise at his arrest, noting that the Taliban likely knew of Lavery’s long-standing presence and work in the region.
The arrest raises concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in Afghanistan and the challenges faced by those who previously worked to support Afghan refugees during the Taliban’s return to power.
