Kokcha News Agency: The FBI has intensified its efforts to locate Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan-American citizen and former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, who has been missing for three years. In a statement released on Sunday, August 19, the FBI’s Washington field office announced a reward of up to $5 million for information that could lead to his safe return.
Habibi was reportedly detained by Taliban intelligence in Kabul on August 10, 2022, along with several colleagues. Since then, there has been no information about his whereabouts or condition, and the Taliban has denied any involvement in his disappearance.
The FBI’s missing person poster for Habibi urges anyone with information to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or to report via WhatsApp. Joshua Stone, a special agent with the FBI in Washington, emphasized the urgency of the case, stating, “We ask anyone who may have information to come forward so we can bring Mahmood back to his family.”
The U.S. State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program had previously announced a $5 million reward in July for information leading to Habibi’s location and return. The program highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to resolving cases of missing persons, particularly those involving American citizens.
Habibi’s disappearance has been linked to his alleged involvement in the killing of a former al-Qaeda leader and potential CIA infiltration into a company he was associated with. However, the Taliban has denied these allegations and any knowledge of his detention.
The FBI’s appeal for information underscores the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s return to power has led to increased instability and human rights concerns. The case of Mahmood Shah Habibi highlights the risks faced by individuals with ties to the previous Afghan government and international organizations.
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