The United States has strongly criticized Afghanistan over the detention of American citizens and warned that it may restrict US passport holders from traveling to the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday designated Afghanistan’s Taliban administration as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” urging the authorities in Kabul to immediately release all detained US citizens, including Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle.
Rubio accused the Taliban of using “terrorist tactics,” claiming that individuals are being abducted for ransom or to gain political concessions. He said the risk of unjust detention has made travel to Afghanistan unsafe for American citizens.
The United States is also seeking the return of the remains of Paul Overby, who disappeared near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in 2014.
Sources familiar with the matter said Washington may limit the use of US passports for travel to Afghanistan if its demands are not met. Currently, such passport restrictions apply only to North Korea.
Last month, Rubio issued a similar determination against Iran under an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. Although the US warned of possible travel restrictions to Iran over detained Americans, no ban has been implemented so far.
The Taliban government has previously denied holding Habibi, who formerly headed Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority. Reuters said it was unable to obtain an immediate response from Afghan officials regarding the latest US statement.
