YouTube ‘danger tourist’, 23, and charity medic, 53, accused of spying in Afghanistan are among four British prisoners released by the Taliban

• Miles ‘Lord Miles’ Routledge has been a prisoner of the Taliban for months
• He, along with three other British men, have been released from Taliban custody
• Routledge, 23, was known for his YouTube dispatches from warzones 

A YouTube ‘danger tourist who spent several months living with his ‘trusted friends’ the Taliban is among four British men who have been released in Afghanistan.

Miles Routledge, a 23-year-old YouTube star who calls himself ‘Lord Miles’, was one of four UK prisoners to be released by the Taliban on Tuesday after spending months ‘living in the lap of luxury’ during his time as their prisoner. 

Charity medic Kevin Cornwell, 53, who was detained during a raid on a hotel in Kabul in January accused of spying was also released following months of pleas from his wife.

The identities of the two other men are not yet known. UK humanitarian non-profit group Presidium Network said they were ‘relieved’ at the news.

‘They are coming home! Thank you to everyone for their support of these men during this difficult period. We are all relieved,’ the oganisation said on X, formerly Twitter.

Miles Routledge (pictured) reportedly lived in the lap of luxury while a prisoner of the Taliban

Kevin Cornwell (pictured) was accused of being a spy after Taliban agents allegedly found an illegal firearm in a safe in his hotel room

Cornwell was accused of being a spy after Taliban agents allegedly found an illegal firearm in a safe in his hotel room. 

But Routledge’s family have previously said they had no idea why he was being held. 

At least a dozen foreigners or dual-nationals were believed to be in detention in Afghanistan, but authorities have not acknowledged any arrests. 

The UK Foreign Office apologised to Afghanistan’s authorities for ‘any violations of the laws of the country.’

A statement from the department read: ‘We welcome and appreciate the release by the current administration of Afghanistan of four British nationals who were detained on allegations of breaking the laws of Afghanistan.

During the past few months in ‘prison’ Miles Routledge is said to have been in talks with Taliban officials over a gold mine, as he apparently has ‘picnics and dinners with higher ups’

‘Danger tourist’ Miles Routledge from Birmingham was arrested on March 2 by fighters from the extremist Islamic group 

MailOnline has obtained the final picture he took before being held which shows the 23-year-old Miles Routledge (left) giving the thumbs up while standing next to a member of the Taliban who is holding an automatic rifle

One of Miles’s friends, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I am now very worried for Miles. No one has heard anything from him in weeks after he said he was being arrested for withdrawing money from a Western Union. Miles is pictured with meeting a Taliban fighter for one of his YouTube videos 

Charity medic Kevin Cornwell (pictured),53, and an unnamed British hotel manager are among the other prisoners being held by the Taliban

‘On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country,’ added the spokesperson.

Routledge’s mother previously told MailOnline she had no idea of his whereabouts, as her only contact is from following his social media postings.

‘Of course, I am very worried, but I do not know anything or what has happened to him,’ Susan Routledge said.

‘No one has been in contact with me. I have not been contacted by the Foreign Office or anyone. I just hope that he is safe, and nothing happens to him.’

The former physics student, from Birmingham, is known for travelling to off-beat destinations and posting about his experiences on social media.

He was evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021 by the British armed forces as the Taliban retook the country, but later returned and was arrested by Taliban forces in March.

The 23-year-old shared footage of himself shooting an assault rifle given to him by a Taliban fighter. The video has since notched up more than a million views on Miles’s YouTube channel

Danger tourist: Miles is pictured dangling off the gun of a Russian tank with its ‘Z’ insignia on it during one of his trips abroad 

Routledge was reportedly in talks with Taliban officials over a gold mine, as he apparently has ‘picnics and dinners with higher ups’. 

Last month, a friend of his took over his X account, and tweeted: ‘Miles is in a guesthouse and not an actual prison so he’s very comfortable.’

The anonymous friend added the ‘prison’ is more like a hotel, as Miles has access to an Xbox, orders takeaways and has a ‘servant’. According to the friend the Taliban are fans of Lord Miles’ book and think he’s a ‘goofy guy’.

The friend said he can’t post photos of Miles ‘for obvious reasons’ and said this could lead to speculation that ‘he’s dead’. But added that people ‘have no idea what Lord Miles is capable of thriving in’.

The thrillseeker’s friend said: ‘At first, like all of you, I was worried he was struggling in some bad place but then he described how the Taliban like the Titanic movie and Rambo 3.’

He added that Miles is writing his second book titled: ‘Lord Miles’ holiday in Taliban prison.’

‘If he wants eggs, his servants buy him eggs, if he doesn’t like a dish, he gets pizza. When we called him he said “lovely holiday”.

‘When we learnt of his hotel like conditions Miles then said “I’ll consider British ambassador to Afghanistan if the King asks nicely”.’

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