Ahmad Shah Habibi, the brother of missing Afghan American Mahmood Shah Habibi, has renewed his appeal to the Taliban for his brother's release. In a message to Amu TV, he stated that the fate of U.S. citizens held in Afghanistan remains a pivotal issue in the relationship between the Taliban and the United States.
Ahmad Shah Habibi said his brother remains in Taliban custody and that the U.S. government is continuing its efforts to secure his freedom and bring him home. This appeal comes as the family endures over four years of uncertainty.
“The Taliban has expressed an interest in having a normal relationship with the United States, while the U.S. government continues to raise the issue of detained U.S. citizens,” Habibi stated. He delivered a direct message to the Taliban: “Releasing U.S. nationals from captivity is the key to your relationship with the U.S. government. It would be an important humanitarian gesture and a meaningful step toward building trust.”
According to Habibi, the U.S. government has assured his family that normalization of relations with the Taliban will not proceed until American citizens, including his brother, are released. This stance places the responsibility for diplomatic progress squarely on the Taliban.
Despite these appeals and U.S. government pressure, the Taliban have consistently denied holding Mahmood Shah Habibi. This denial complicates diplomatic efforts and adds to the family's distress.
Mahmood Shah Habibi, a U.S. citizen and the former head of Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority, disappeared in Kabul on August 10, 2022. At the time, he was working as a consultant for Asia Consultancy Group, a Kabul-based telecommunications company.
The FBI has reported that the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) took Habibi and his driver from their vehicle and detained them along with 29 other company employees. According to the FBI, Habibi has not been heard from since his detention.
In August, marking four years since Habibi’s disappearance, the FBI renewed its appeal for information on his whereabouts, reaffirming its commitment to his return. The agency noted the deep personal toll, stating that Habibi's daughter has not seen her father since before her first birthday. The U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $5 million for information leading to his location and safe return.
Source: Amu TV
🌐
