US renews reward offer for info on missing citizen

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US has once again announced a reward up to five million American dollars for information concerning the kidnapping of Cydney Mizell who went missing in Afghanistan in 2008.

The US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, through its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the reward last week. The RFJ reward offer is for information leading to the location, recovery, and return of Ms. Mizell.

Mizell was reported to have been abducted along with her driver, Muhammad Hadi, by unidentified gunmen in southern province of Kandahar on January 26, 2008.

Mizell and Hadi were likely killed by their captors in 2008.  Mizell is believed to have been buried in Kandahar or the surrounding area.  At the time of her disappearance, Mizell, who worked for an American development organization, taught English at Kandahar University and embroidery at a school for girls.

She also helped Afghan women develop projects to generate income for their families.  She had lived in Kandahar for three years and spoke fluent Pashto.

Ambassador Ross Wilson, US Charge d’Affaires, commenting on the announcement of the new reward, said: “CydneyMizell dedicated her life to helping the Afghan people.  Thirteen years after her disappearance, we still want to find out what happened to Cydney and help her family find closure.

“We urge any person with information that they think might be important, however small it seems, to please come forward.”

More information about this reward offer is located on the Rewards for Justice website at www.rewardsforjustice.net.  Anyone with information on this kidnapping should text RFJ via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1 202 702 7843.

Individuals may also submit information to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, or to the U.S. Embassy Kabul Regional Security Officer by telephone at +93 070 010 8600.  All information will be kept strictly confidential.

An effective law enforcement tool, since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $200 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.

Pr/ma

Visits: 99