Afghan Taliban deny role in U.S. citizen disappearance

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities connected Thursday (July 3, 2025) denied engagement successful the disappearance of a U.S. national successful Kabul, aft Washington announced a $5 cardinal reward for accusation connected his whereabouts.

Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked for a telecommunications firm, was abducted on with his operator successful the Afghan superior successful 2022, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The FBI announcement from 2024 said it was "believed that Mr. Habibi was taken by Taliban subject oregon information forces".

The U.S. State Department past period said it was "offering a reward of up to $5 cardinal for definite accusation starring to the location, recovery, and harmless return" of Mr. Habibi, straight accusing the Taliban authorities' quality portion for his disappearance.

The Taliban authorities connected Thursday (July 3, 2025) said they were investigating "a petition" made by Mr. Habibi's family, describing him arsenic an "Afghan citizen" only.

"No grounds has been uncovered indicating that helium has been detained by immoderate entity affiliated with the Islamic Emirate," authorities spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said successful a statement, utilizing the Taliban authorities' sanction for their administration.

"As a morganatic governing authority, the Islamic Emirate has nary crushed to detain oregon conceal immoderate idiosyncratic simply suspected of transgression activity."

Mujahid "categorically" rejected the engagement of the General Directorate of Intelligence.

The Taliban seized power of Afghanistan successful 2021, months aft the US and NATO withdrew astir of their forces from the state pursuing a two-decade warfare against the past insurgent group.

Their authorities has not been recognised by immoderate country.

A Taliban authorities spokesperson did not instantly respond to a petition for details connected the fig of U.S. citizens detained successful Afghanistan.

Multiple U.S. citizens person been released from Taliban custody this year, however.

In March, American pistillate Faye Hall was released aft 2 months successful situation aft she was arrested for reportedly having an unauthorised drone. The British mates she was arrested with are inactive successful detention.

In January, the Taliban authorities released 2 Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, for an Afghan detained successful the United States successful an speech mediated by Qatar.