Kidnappers target the rich, influential in Afghanistan

Authorities say they are dealing with the problem. In about 75 percent of cases, kidnappers are being arrested, says interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary.

But Afghans believe it is the authorities who are a large part of the problem, with accounts from survivors that their abductors were in police uniform or linked with senior officials.

"There is no justice in Afghanistan," said the doctor Wahaaj. "The government is corrupt, there is no punishment for high officials doing crime.