US signals tough stance on Taliban detention of American citizens, citing potential travel curbs
Washington: The United States has formally censured Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities over the detention of American citizens, warning that the move could lead to restrictions on US passport holders traveling to the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that Afghanistan has been designated a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” accusing the Taliban of holding Americans to extract concessions. Rubio demanded the immediate release of detained citizens, including Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle.
“The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions,” Rubio said, highlighting the unacceptable risk for Americans in Afghanistan.
Officials indicated that this designation could trigger travel restrictions similar to those imposed on North Korea, preventing US passport holders from entering Afghanistan without special permission. Additionally, the US seeks the return of the remains of Paul Overby, a writer who disappeared near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border in 2014.
The Taliban has previously denied holding Habibi, and Kabul did not respond immediately to the US statement. Rubio had issued a similar “wrongful detention” designation against Iran in February, though travel restrictions have not yet been applied.
CBS News reported that Washington was considering the move ahead of its official announcement.
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