Taliban frees American national detained in Afghanistan for more than 2 years

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Taliban released an American national on Thursday who had been held in Afghanistan for more than two years, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday.

"Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra," Rubio said in a statement. "George’s release is a positive and constructive step. It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will continue his tireless work to free ALL Americans unjustly detained around the world.”

Rubio thanked Qatar for its diplomatic efforts in securing Glezmann’s release. "Qatar has consistently proven to be a reliable partner and trusted mediator, facilitating complex negotiations," he said.

Glezmann, who was detained in 2022 while visiting Kabul as a tourist, left Afghanistan on a Qatari aircraft bound for Qatar where he will meet US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, according to several US media reports, citing sources.

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad confirmed Glezmann’s release on X, saying: “Today is a good day. We succeeded in obtaining the release of an American citizen, Georg(e) Glezmann, after two years in detention in Kabul.”

“The Taliban government agreed to free him as a goodwill gesture to (the US president) and the American people,” he added.

The US has no embassy in Afghanistan since a Taliban takeover in August 2022, with Qatar serving as its “protective power.”