The brother of Afghan-American hostage Mahmood Shah Habibi has accused the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of failing to act to secure his release from Taliban custody, despite maintaining contacts with the group’s intelligence service.
Marking the third anniversary of Habibi’s detention, Ahmad Shah Habibi said his brother had no ties to the CIA and had never cooperated with the agency.
The Taliban detained Habibi in connection with the 2022 killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, though he had returned to the Afghan capital from the United Arab Emirates five days after the operation. Ahmad Shah said US agencies failed to warn his brother or prevent his return.
He claimed the CIA continues to provide funding and intelligence to the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence, the same body he alleges is responsible for his brother’s detention.
The Taliban denies holding Habibi, but US officials believe he is in their custody. Washington has offered a $5 million reward for information on his whereabouts. Ahmad Shah said repeated requests to meet with CIA officials have gone unanswered, and he urged the agency to use its contacts to negotiate his brother’s release.
He warned that if his brother dies in Taliban custody, the CIA will bear responsibility.
