MOSCOW, July 3: Afghan Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Thursday denied his government’s role in disappearance of American-Afghan businessman Mahmood Shah Habibi in Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically rejects the allegations made by the United States of America, which accuse the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of Afghanistan of involvement in the disappearance of an Afghan citizen named Mahmood Shah Habibi,” Mujahid said in a statement.
US officials accused the Afghan intelligence agency of arresting Habibi on August 10, 2022, just two days after a US drone strike killed al-Qaeda terrorist (banned in Russia) leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Sherpur, the Khaama news agency reported.
The FBI is seeking information into the disappearance of Mahmood Shah Habibi in 2022 in Afghanistan. Habibi is an Afghan-American businessman, and he worked as a contractor for Asia Consultancy Group, a Kabul-based telecommunications company.
On August 10, 2022, Habibi was taken from his vehicle near his home in Kabul City, Afghanistan, along with his driver.
The FBI notice said it was “believed that Habibi was taken by Taliban military or security forces”.The FBI continues to investigate Habibi’s disappearance and has asked for public assistance. The US Department of Justice is offering up to USD 5 million as a reward for information that may help establish his whereabouts.
“It has been two years since Habibi’s disappearance, and the FBI continues to work diligently to return him to his family,” said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office.
“The FBI has a commitment to our citizens, victims, and their families to seek answers on their behalf. We are once again asking for the public’s help and encourage anyone who has information to contact the FBI,” he said.
The US claimed that Habibi was arrested near his home along with his driver and 29 employees of the private telecommunications company, Asia Consultancy Group. Although almost all of those arrested were subsequently released, Habibi and another person remain missing.
Before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Habibi had been chairing the Association for the Promotion of Civil Aviation in Afghanistan.
Mujahid said that after receiving petitions from Habibi’s family, internal investigations were conducted in all relevant departments and “no evidence has been uncovered indicating that he has been detained by any entity affiliated with the Islamic Emirate.”
Former CIA officer Sarah Adams and the businessman’s brother, Ahmad Shah Habibi, claimed that the Taliban handed Habibi over to al-Qaeda, raising concern that the man may face execution.
(UNI)
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