ADVERTISEMENTCoyle was detained in January 2025 on allegations of violating laws, although Afghan authorities never publicly stated what laws he was accused of having violated. Afghanistan joined Iran as countries singled out by the United States for detaining Americans in hopes of extracting policy concessions. Afghanistan's government rejected US allegations that it detains foreigners to obtain leverage over other countries, saying Afghan authorities arrest people for violating laws not to make a deal. Afghan authorities are believed to hold at least one other US national. The FBI and Habibi's family have said they believe he was taken by Taliban forces, but the Taliban have denied holding him.

Source: The Telegraph March 24, 2026 13:39 UTC