Mujahid said in a video message on Tuesday that Habibi was not in Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...custody, adding that if he were being held by the group, the issue would have been resolved. His remarks came as the case entered its fourth year without confirmed information about Habibi’s fate.
Habibi, a former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and a U.S. citizen, disappeared on August 10, 2022, after being taken from his vehicle near his home in Kabul. He was working as a consultant for Asia Consultancy Group, a Kabul-based telecommunications company, at the time.
The FBI says it believes Habibi was taken by Taliban military or security forces along with his driver and 29 other employees of the company. All but Habibi and one other detainee were later released, according to the FBI. The agency has continued to investigate his disappearance and says he has not been heard from since.
The Taliban has repeatedly denied holding Habibi. In a previous official statement, Mujahid said investigations across relevant Taliban institutions found no evidence that Habibi were tossed into the calaboose by any Taliban-affiliated agency.
The United States has continued to press for information about Habibi and his return to his family. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $5 million for information leading to his location, recovery and return.
The FBI renewed its public appeal on the anniversary of Habibi’s disappearance, saying it remains committed to finding him and reuniting him with his family. The agency has asked anyone with information to contact the FBI or submit a confidential tip.
The case has also become a point of tension between Washington and the Taliban authorities. U.S. officials have continued to seek answers about Americans who are missing or detained in Afghanistan, while the Taliban has rejected allegations that it is responsible for Habibi’s disappearance.
Habibi’s family has continued to seek information about his fate. His disappearance has received renewed attention in the United States as Washington presses for greater accountability and the safe return of American citizens believed to be missing or detained abroad.
Habibi’s disappearance occurred shortly after the Taliban returned to power and days after a U.S. dronezap in Kabul killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri
...Formerly second in command of al-Qaeda, now the head cheese, occasionally described as
the real brains of the outfit.Formerly the Mister Big of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Bumped off Abdullah Azzam with a car boom in the course of one of their little disputes. Is thought to have composed bin Laden's fatwa entitled World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders. Currently residing in the North Wazoo area assuming he's not dead like Mullah Omar. He lost major face when he ordered the nascent Islamic State to cease and desist and merge with the orthodox al-Qaeda spring, al-Nusra...>
The FBI continues to list Habibi as missing, while the U.S. government maintains its $5 million reward and has called for information that could establish his location and secure his return. The Taliban’s latest denial provides no new information about where Habibi is or what happened to him.
Related:
Mahmood Shah Habibi 10/05/2022 Daily Evacuation Brief October 5, 2022
Mahmood Shah Habibi 10/05/2022 U.S citizen missing in Afghanistan, family claims he is in Taliban custody
Mahmood Shah Habibi 10/05/2022 Daily Evacuation Brief October 5, 2022
Mahmood Shah Habibi 10/05/2022 U.S citizen missing in Afghanistan, family claims he is in Taliban custody