American Detainee Released in Qatar-Brokered Deal with Taliban
George Glezmann, detained in Afghanistan since December 2022, is freed as part of negotiations involving U.S. and Qatari officials.
An American citizen, George Glezmann, aged 66, has been released after more than two years of detention in Afghanistan, as confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The release is part of a deal brokered by Qatar, amid escalating efforts to secure the freedom of U.S. nationals held by the Taliban.
Glezmann was detained in December 2022, shortly after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and was officially classified as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government in September 2023.
Negotiations for Glezmann’s release included weeks of discussions led by officials from Qatar and the United States.
Rubio announced that Glezmann is currently en route to the United States, where he is expected to reunite with his wife, Aleksandra.
A U.S. official stated that no prisoners were exchanged for Glezmann’s freedom, indicating that the resolution stemmed from diplomatic discussions rather than direct negotiations involving ties to Taliban-held individuals.
A significant breakthrough in the negotiations occurred following a meeting between Qatari intermediaries and Taliban representatives.
U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler, who was instrumental in facilitating the negotiations, is accompanying Glezmann on his return to the U.S. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry released photos showing Boehler alongside Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, in discussions with Taliban officials.
Khalilzad characterized Glezmann’s release as a “goodwill gesture” by the Taliban towards the United States and its citizens.
During his detention, Glezmann was reportedly subjected to severe conditions, including solitary confinement and limited contact with his family.
His travel to Afghanistan was intended as a brief cultural visit.
The role of Qatar as an intermediary has been noted as crucial, particularly due to the absence of U.S. diplomatic representation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.
Glezmann's release marks the third occasion this year in which a U.S. citizen has been freed from Taliban custody, following the releases of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, which occurred during a prisoner exchange facilitated by Qatar in January.
The release is part of a deal brokered by Qatar, amid escalating efforts to secure the freedom of U.S. nationals held by the Taliban.
Glezmann was detained in December 2022, shortly after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and was officially classified as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government in September 2023.
Negotiations for Glezmann’s release included weeks of discussions led by officials from Qatar and the United States.
Rubio announced that Glezmann is currently en route to the United States, where he is expected to reunite with his wife, Aleksandra.
A U.S. official stated that no prisoners were exchanged for Glezmann’s freedom, indicating that the resolution stemmed from diplomatic discussions rather than direct negotiations involving ties to Taliban-held individuals.
A significant breakthrough in the negotiations occurred following a meeting between Qatari intermediaries and Taliban representatives.
U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler, who was instrumental in facilitating the negotiations, is accompanying Glezmann on his return to the U.S. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry released photos showing Boehler alongside Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, in discussions with Taliban officials.
Khalilzad characterized Glezmann’s release as a “goodwill gesture” by the Taliban towards the United States and its citizens.
During his detention, Glezmann was reportedly subjected to severe conditions, including solitary confinement and limited contact with his family.
His travel to Afghanistan was intended as a brief cultural visit.
The role of Qatar as an intermediary has been noted as crucial, particularly due to the absence of U.S. diplomatic representation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.
Glezmann's release marks the third occasion this year in which a U.S. citizen has been freed from Taliban custody, following the releases of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, which occurred during a prisoner exchange facilitated by Qatar in January.
