American Detained by Taliban Finally Free After Over Two Years

After more than two years in detention in Afghanistan, American citizen George Glezmann has been released and is on his way back to the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday.

Glezmann, a 66-year-old Delta Airlines mechanic, was freed following weeks of negotiations led by U.S. and Qatari mediators. “Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra,” Rubio said in a statement. A U.S. official confirmed that no prisoners were exchanged for his release.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Qatar played a crucial role in securing Glezmann’s freedom during a recent meeting with the Taliban. U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler worked closely with Qatari diplomats and was expected to accompany Glezmann on his journey home.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad also confirmed the news, posting on social media: “Today is a good day. We succeeded in obtaining the release of American citizen George Glezmann after two years in detention in Kabul.” He added that the Taliban government freed Glezmann as a “goodwill gesture” toward the U.S. and its people.

Glezmann was arrested by the Taliban in December 2022, roughly 16 months after the group regained control of Afghanistan. The U.S. officially classified him as “wrongfully detained” in September 2023.

According to Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who had been advocating for his release, Glezmann had traveled to Afghanistan for a short five-day trip to explore the country’s culture and history. However, after his arrest, he was reportedly held in harsh conditions, confined to a nine-by-nine-foot cell and subjected to months of solitary confinement, sometimes underground. His access to communication was also severely restricted—by July 2024, he had been allowed only seven phone calls totaling 54 minutes with his family.

With the U.S. having no diplomatic presence in Afghanistan since closing its embassy in 2022, Qatar has served as its intermediary. Rubio praised Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, calling the country a “reliable partner and trusted mediator” in the negotiations that led to Glezmann’s freedom.

Glezmann is the third American citizen to be freed from Taliban detention this year. In January, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released as part of a prisoner exchange in the final hours of former President Joe Biden’s administration. That deal, also brokered by Qatar, saw the U.S. return Khan Mohammed, a Taliban member serving a life sentence for narco-terrorism.

While Glezmann’s release is a victory, U.S. officials remain concerned about another American, Mahmoud Habibi, who is still believed to be held in Afghanistan. The Taliban has never acknowledged detaining Habibi, but the U.S. continues to push for his return.

Glezmann’s wife, Aleksandra, had previously spoken out about his deteriorating health, citing a benign tumor, vision loss, and severe ulcers. Now, after years of fear and uncertainty, she will finally be reunited with her husband.