Brother of detained Afghan-American says Taliban seeks concessions from US

Ahmad Shah Habibi, brother of Mahmoud Shah Habibi, an Afghan-American citizen believed to be held by the Taliban, stated that the Taliban will not release his brother without obtaining concessions from the United States.

In an interview with Afghanistan International on Thursday, Habibi emphasized that the U.S. government possesses sufficient evidence confirming that Mahmoud Shah Habibi is in a Taliban prison. The Taliban has consistently denied detaining him, claiming to be unaware of his whereabouts.

Habibi added that two other U.S. citizens are also detained by the Taliban. He noted that U.S. officials have assured their families of relentless efforts for their release, with recent statements indicating strong U.S. resolve on the matter.

Habibi referenced U.S. President Donald Trump's policies on hostage-taking by countries, pointing out that the Taliban continues to hold U.S. citizens for leverage despite an executive order issued five months ago. He said full implementation of the order would create dire conditions for the Taliban, though they seek to avoid such a scenario.

The family demands the release of the innocent brother and for the Taliban to explain what crime Mahmoud Shah Habibi committed. Habibi recalled that more than three years have passed since his brother's detention with no information on his condition.

Dan Brown, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires for Afghanistan, stated on Wednesday that the Taliban detains U.S. citizens as leverage in negotiations with the United States and uses them as a bargaining tool. He described the Taliban's methods as "deplorable" and urged the international community to hold them accountable. In a post on X, Brown wrote: "The Taliban continues to exploit detainees as leverage in negotiations with the United States and other countries. The international community must hold the Taliban accountable for these deplorable tactics."

Michael Semple, a former European diplomat in Afghanistan, believes U.S.-Taliban talks on freeing American hostages have reached a deadlock, with Washington furious. He said the Taliban, concerned about the U.S. reaction, is now showing signs of flexibility.

The Taliban has stated it would exchange the U.S. citizens for the release of Rahim Afghani, a member of al-Qaida.