US Offers $6.4M Reward for Afghan-American Held by Taliban

The U.S. government has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location and release of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman detained by the Taliban's intelligence service on August 10, 2022. Habibi, a former civil aviation chief under Afghanistan's previous Western-backed government, was seized along with his driver and 29 other employees of a Kabul telecommunications firm, with all but Habibi and one other person subsequently released. Since his arrest, Habibi has not been heard from, and the Taliban deny holding him despite the U.S. State Department's concerns over his whereabouts and condition. The reward is offered through the Justice Department's Rewards for Justice program, which aims to uncover information about Habibi's location and facilitate his safe return. This case highlights ongoing issues under Taliban rule, where numerous former officials and public servants have faced arrest and detention without formal charges or legal access. The U.S. continues to seek clarity on Habibi’s fate amid the opaque circumstances of his disappearance.