American Tourist Released by Taliban After Two Years

An American man abducted by the Taliban in Afghanistan more than two years ago has been released as part of a deal brokered by Qatari negotiators, the State Department announced Thursday. George Glezmann, a 66-year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, was seized by the Taliban's intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist.

Glezmann's release marks the third time an American detainee has been freed by the Taliban since January. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Qatar for its "steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts" in securing Glezmann's release, adding that the development is a “positive and constructive step.”

Glezmann is en route back to the United States, accompanied by Adam Boehler, who handles hostage issues for the Trump administration. The Taliban disclosed earlier Thursday that Boehler had met with a delegation including Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Glezmann's release is part of the Taliban's efforts to "normalize" ties with the US following the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His passion for exploring different cultures had taken him to over 100 countries before his abduction.

The release follows a separate deal in January that secured the freedom of two other US citizens, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, in exchange for Khan Mohammed, a man convicted under US narco-terrorism laws. Unlike that arrangement, the US did not release any prisoners to secure Glezmann's freedom, which was granted as a goodwill gesture.

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed Glezmann's release on "humanitarian grounds," reaffirming the Taliban's position that dialogue and diplomacy are effective avenues for resolving issues.

The development comes as the family of another American, Mahmood Habibi, continues to push for his release. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman, vanished in 2022, and his family believes he was taken by Taliban forces, despite the Taliban's denial.