Paris  - A French businessman and two Afghan associates kidnapped in Afghanistan in late May by a group linked to the Taliban have been freed, the French Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The French national, 37-year-old Johan Freckhaus, was said to be in good health and on his way back to France.

The three men were abducted on May 29 as they were driving on the motorway linking the cities of Moqor and Ghazni, in the south-east of the country.

According to the foreign ministry statement, the release was obtained by "the coordinated action of the government." No information was provided about a ransom being demanded or paid. (dpa)