"The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions. It was not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals."
"Certain individuals have been detained on charges of violating established laws, and in many instances, they have been released in the normal course following the completion of legal procedures."
"Several Americans are being held in Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power in 2021 after a nearly two-decade insurgency against US-led international forces. They include Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old American academic who was detained by the Taliban in January 2025."
The United States designated Afghanistan a state sponsor of wrongful detention under an executive order signed by President Trump in September, enabling sanctions, travel restrictions, and aid limitations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Taliban uses terrorist tactics to kidnap individuals for ransom or policy concessions, making Afghanistan unsafe for Americans. The Taliban's Foreign Ministry denied holding American citizens for ransom, claiming detainees were held for violating laws and released after legal procedures. Several Americans remain detained in Afghanistan, including Dennis Coyle, detained in January 2025, and Mahmood Habibi, arrested in August 2022. The United States offered a $5 million reward for information about Habibi's release, though the Taliban denies holding him and no verified details about his condition exist.
#afghanistan-detention #taliban-human-rights #us-sanctions #american-hostages #state-sponsor-designation
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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