The United States has actually announced a reward of as much as $5 million for info leading to the area and safe return of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American business owner who was detained by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’& rsquo; s(IEA)intelligence company almost 2 years ago.The deal, released through the State Department’& rsquo; s Rewards for Justice program on Monday, underscores growing issue over Habibi’& rsquo; s fate.He was detained on August 10, 2022, in Kabul.
A previous head of Afghanistan’& rsquo; s civil aviation authority under the previous Western-backed federal government, Habibi was reportedly apprehended in addition to his chauffeur and 29 coworkers from a local telecom firm.All but two —-- Habibi and another unnamed individual —-- have actually given that been released.“& ldquo; Mr.
Habibi has actually not been spoken with since his initial arrest, and the so-called Taliban (IEA) federal government has yet to supply any details concerning his location or condition,” & rdquo; the department & rsquo; s declaration said.The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which took power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.
and allied forces, has denied holding Habibi.
In spite of duplicated demands from U.S.
officials and worldwide rights companies, no credible details about his status have emerged.The Biden and now Trump administrations have actually made the healing of U.S.
citizens detained abroad a key top priority.
The benefit offer types part of a broader effort by Washington to press the IEA and set in motion public cooperation to help find Americans apprehended in conflict zones.The State Department has urged individuals with pertinent info to call the Rewards for Justice program through safe and confidential channels.Habibi’& rsquo; s disappearance stays a sensitive issue in U.S.-IEA relations, with American authorities warning that unresolved detentions such as his position a major obstacle to any significant engagement with the present Afghan authorities.The post United States offers $5 million reward for information on Afghan-American apprehended by Islamic Emirate initially appeared on TINS News|Afghanistan News.