Former Afghanistan hostage Joshua Boyle is slated to be in Ontario court today to face trial on several assault charges.

Boyle and his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, were taken hostage in 2012 by a Taliban-linked group while on a backpacking trip.

The couple were freed by Pakistani forces in October 2017, along with the three children they had in captivity.

Boyle was arrested by Ottawa police in December that year and charged with offences including assault, sexual assault, unlawful confinement and causing someone to take a noxious substance.

The charges against Boyle relate to two alleged victims, but a court order prohibits the publication of any details that might identify them or any witnesses.

He was released from jail last June with strict bail conditions that included an electronic bracelet to track his movements.

Boyle used to live in Breslau.