The US State Department designates Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing the Taliban of detaining foreigners to gain leverage over other governments.Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul rejects the designation as regrettable, says foreign nationals are arrested for violating Afghan law and describes ongoing diplomatic talks with US officials as constructive.US Secretary of State
Marco Rubio warns Americans not to travel and demands the release of
Dennis Coyle and
Mahmood Habibi; the
FBI and Habibi’s family say they believe Habibi was taken, but the
Taliban denies holding him and points to the September release of
Amir Amiri.