Two credible sources in Kandahar told Afghanistan International that Mahmood Shah Habibi, the former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, has been transferred from prison to a guesthouse owned by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Habibi, a dual Afghan-American citizen, was reportedly moved ten days ago from a Kandahar prison to the Aino Mina area. The guesthouse was formerly owned by General Abdul Raziq, the late police commander of Kandahar. It is now controlled by Akhundzada and closed off to public access.
Sources said the Taliban leader once used the guesthouse for meetings but has not visited it recently. A few days ago, Akhundzada’s guards reportedly brought in two doctors, though it is unclear who they treated.
Earlier, two Taliban insiders confirmed to Afghanistan International that Habibi had been transferred to Kandahar about a year ago due to mounting pressure from the United States. These sources also noted that details of his detention are kept within the Taliban leadership and not shared widely.
A spokesperson for the US State Department, Tammy Bruce, previously expressed concern over Habibi’s health. She confirmed that the US government is actively working to secure his release, along with that of other American citizens still held in Afghanistan.
Roughly a month ago, sources said Habibi was being held in a facility known during the Republic era as the National Security Research Center. Located opposite the Aino Mina entrance, the site is now used as a private prison by the Taliban leader.
Habibi’s brother recently told Afghanistan International that US officials raised his case during their talks with the Taliban. The State Department reportedly promised to continue pushing for his release.
Last week, following a US delegation visit to Kabul, American citizen George Glezmann was released after two years in Taliban custody. Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad later said the release was a gesture of goodwill to Donald Trump and the American people.
