Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The United States has announced a reward of up to $5 million (S$6.4 million) for credible information leading to the location, recovery, and return of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 and has not been seen since.
According to a statement released by the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, Habibi—who once served as head of Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority under the former Western-backed government—was arrested by the Taliban’s intelligence service on August 10, 2022, alongside his driver and 29 colleagues from a Kabul-based telecommunications firm. While all others were eventually released, only Habibi and one other individual remain unaccounted for.
“Mr. Habibi has not been heard from since his initial arrest, and the so-called Taliban government has failed to provide any information about his whereabouts or condition,” the statement read.
The Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. forces, deny holding Habibi. However, his continued disappearance has raised concerns in Washington and among human rights groups, who accuse the Taliban of unlawful detentions and lack of transparency in their judicial and intelligence processes.
The U.S. has called on anyone with information to come forward, highlighting the seriousness of Habibi’s case and its implications for diplomatic engagement with the Taliban. The State Department reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of detained American citizens abroad.
The Rewards for Justice program has been used in the past to locate wanted individuals and resolve hostage cases, offering monetary compensation for credible tips that lead to successful outcomes. In Habibi’s case, the U.S. says it will continue efforts until he is located and safely returned to his family.
