KABUL, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government on Thursday firmly denied allegations by the United States accusing the country's intelligence department of involvement in the disappearance of a U.S. businessman, asserting that investigations have found no evidence of government involvement.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically rejects the allegations," said the government's deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat on social media.

According to the statement, internal investigations found no indication that Habibi had been taken into custody by any government-linked body in Afghanistan.

While the U.S. Department of State refers to Mahmood Shah Habibi as a U.S. businessman, the Afghan government identified him as an Afghan citizen in its official statement.

Last week, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward for credible information that may lead to location and safe return of Mahmood Shah Habibi, who was abducted along with his driver in Kabul on Aug. 10, 2022, and reportedly held by the Taliban's intelligence department. ■