Taliban Releases American Held in Afghanistan for Over Two Years
Delta Airlines Mechanic George Glezmann Freed in Humanitarian Deal Brokered with U.S. Officials
An American man who had been held in Afghanistan for more than two years has been released by the Taliban in what officials are calling a significant diplomatic breakthrough.
George Glezmann, a 65-year-old aircraft mechanic with Delta Air Lines, was detained in December 2022 while visiting Afghanistan as a tourist. He arrived in Qatar on Thursday evening before continuing his journey back to the United States.
His release was confirmed following high-level talks in Kabul between Taliban officials and a U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler. The Taliban’s foreign ministry described the move as a "humanitarian gesture" and a "goodwill initiative."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the development as a "positive and constructive step" in re-engaging diplomatically with the Taliban.
Breakthrough Talks Signal Shift in U.S.-Taliban Relations
The Kabul meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement between the Taliban and the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office in January. Alongside Boehler was former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad.
While past communications between Washington and the Taliban have typically occurred through third countries, this face-to-face meeting suggests a possible thaw in relations. Qatar, a key diplomatic intermediary, helped facilitate the agreement leading to Glezmann’s release.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry emphasized the significance of the event in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying it demonstrated the country’s willingness to engage with the U.S. "based on mutual respect and interests."
Glezmann’s Return and Ongoing Concerns
Glezmann was seen at Kabul airport on Thursday, flanked by Boehler, Khalilzad, and Qatari officials, before departing for Doha. He is expected to reunite soon with his wife, Aleksandra, who had remained in contact with him during his detention through limited phone calls.
The James Foley Foundation, which advocates for detained Americans, reported that Glezmann's health had "deteriorated significantly" while in captivity and he is in urgent need of medical treatment.
Rubio, while welcoming the release, also highlighted that other American citizens remain detained in Afghanistan. One such individual is believed to be Mahmood Habibi, who has been held since August 2022.
Before this latest release, two Americans—Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty—were freed in a 2023 prisoner exchange involving Khan Mohmmad, an Afghan serving a life sentence in a U.S. federal prison on drug trafficking and terrorism charges.
The latest development signals a possible opening for further negotiations and a step toward easing tensions between the U.S. and Afghanistan’s de facto rulers.
Leave A Comment