We Work for Rumsfeld, Claim Americans Arrested in Kabul

Idema told journalists that the three men were in frequent contact with the US Department of Defense while they were tracking Islamic militants, including members of Al-Qaeda, in Afghanistan.

"We were working for a US counter-terrorism group. We were working together with Pentagon and other federal institutions. We were in direct contact with the US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfed’s office via fax, e-mail and telephone," Idema added.

Idema alleges that the US administration ‘absolutely supported’ their activities. He gave the name of a high-ranking Pentagon official who offered them work on contract basis. Idema said that three men refused the offer.

The US Army and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Peace Force have vigorously maintained that the men did not work for them, nor were the men in any way associated with them.

Along with Idema, the Americans Edward Caraballo and Brent Bennett were arrested on July 5 in Kabul. The three could be sentenced to 15 years in prison if found guilty.