Trump administration labels Afghanistan ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’

"The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions," the US Department of State said in a statement.

"These despicable tactics need to end," the statement said.

The department said it is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to detain Americans and other foreign nationals unjustly.

The department demanded the release of Dennis Coyle and Mahmoud Habibi, who have been detained in the US.

As per a website run by his family, Coyle, 64, has been detained in Afghanistan since January 27, 2025.

American businessman Habibi was abducted in Afghanistan on August 10, 2022. 

"Habibi was abducted, along with his driver, from his vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan and detained by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence," read a statement issued by the US State Department.

At the time of his disappearance, he was working as a consultant for a Kabul-based telecommunications firm.

"He has not been heard from since his initial arrest, and the Taliban has yet to provide any information regarding his whereabouts or condition," the department said.

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for certain information leading to the location, recovery, and safe return of Mahmood Shah Habibi.