Taliban Releases U.S. Man After Two Years in Captivity.

Taliban Releases U.S. Man After Two Years in Captivity.

An American citizen, George Glezmann, has been released by the Taliban after more than two years in detention in Afghanistan. Glezmann, a Delta Air Lines mechanic, was arrested in December 2022 while visiting the country as a tourist. He arrived in Qatar on Thursday evening before continuing his journey back to the United States.

His release was confirmed following a meeting between the Taliban’s foreign minister and a US delegation, including US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, in Kabul. This meeting marked the highest-level direct talks between the two parties since President Donald Trump took office in January. The Taliban’s foreign ministry described Glezmann’s release as a "humanitarian gesture" and a sign of "goodwill," while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed it as a "positive and constructive step."

Qatar played a key role in facilitating the deal, with the Afghan foreign ministry stating on social media that the agreement demonstrated "Afghanistan’s commitment to engaging with all sides, particularly the United States, on the basis of mutual respect and interests."

Glezmann, 65, was photographed at Kabul airport before departing for Qatar, accompanied by Boehler, former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, and Qatari officials. Upon his return, he is expected to reunite with his wife, Aleksandra.

The James Foley Foundation, which tracks cases of Americans detained overseas, reported that Glezmann had "periodic and limited telephone contact" with his wife while in detention. His health had reportedly worsened during his captivity, and he now requires urgent medical care.

Rubio also noted that Glezmann’s release serves as a reminder that other Americans remain detained in Afghanistan. One such individual is believed to be Mahmood Habibi, who was arrested in August 2022.

Prior to Trump’s inauguration in January, two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty, were released from Afghanistan as part of a deal that saw the US free an Afghan prisoner. Khan Mohmmad, who had been serving a life sentence in a California federal prison for drug trafficking and terrorism charges, was exchanged as part of that arrangement.