Canadian Ex-Hostage in Afghanistan Charged With Assault

A Canadian man who was held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan for five years was charged with assault and more than a dozen other offenses in Ottawa, CBC News reported Tuesday. Joshua Boyle was charged with eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement, and several other criminal acts that took place after he returned to Canada late last year. Boyle and his wife, Caitlan Coleman, were taken hostage in Afghanistan in 2011 and had three children while in captivity. “Mr. Boyle is presumed innocent. He’s never been in trouble before. No evidence has been provided yet, which is typical at this early stage,” Boyle’s lawyer told CBC News. “We look forward to receiving the evidence and defending him against these charges.” Coleman told The Star: “I can’t speak about the specific charges, but I can say that ultimately it is the strain and trauma he was forced to endure for so many years and the effects that that had on his mental state that is most culpable for this.”