At least one American detained in Afghanistan has been released, his family confirmed, as part of a reported prisoner exchange with the Taliban.
Ryan Corbett, who was arrested in Afghanistan in August 2022, had been classified by the U.S. State Department as wrongfully detained. His family expressed immense gratitude for his return after 894 days, describing it as the most challenging period of their lives.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that American citizens had been released in exchange for Khan Muhammad, a Taliban member who had been serving a life sentence in California after being convicted of narcoterrorism and heroin trafficking in 2008. Muhammad had been involved in efforts to acquire rockets for attacks on Americans and their allies in Afghanistan.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the release of two U.S. nationals but did not disclose their identities. The Corbett family expressed thanks to both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, acknowledging efforts by both administrations to negotiate the release of detained Americans in exchange for Afghan detainees. The family also praised Qatar for its role in mediating the deal.
Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan for many years before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, was visiting the country when he was detained. His family mentioned concerns about his declining health during his imprisonment. They also expressed solidarity with other families still waiting for the return of detained Americans, including those of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, who may also be released soon.
The Taliban had accused the three Americans of espionage and preaching Christianity, both of which are prohibited under the group’s interpretation of Islamic law. President Biden had spoken with the families of Corbett, Glezmann, and Habibi earlier this month.
Over the course of his presidency, Biden successfully negotiated the release of more than 75 American citizens and residents detained abroad, including through prisoner swaps with China and Russia.
