American Tourist Held by Taliban for Over Two Years Released in US Deal

George Glezmann, an American man who was abducted while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist more than two years ago, has been released by the Taliban in a deal brokered with the help of Qatari negotiators, the State Department announced Thursday, as per The Associated Press.

Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was seized by the Taliban’s intelligence services in December 2022 and designated by the US government as wrongfully detained the following year. He is the third American detainee to be released by the Taliban since January.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement confirming Glezmann’s release and praised Qatar for its “steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts” that he said were “instrumental in securing George’s release.”

He also confirmed Glezmann was en route back to the United States to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra.

“George’s release is a positive and constructive step,” Rubio stated. “It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will continue his tireless work to free ALL Americans unjustly detained around the world.”

Glezmann, who is in his mid-60s, was accompanied back to the United States, via Doha, Qatar, by Adam Boehler, who has been handling hostage issues for the Trump administration. The Taliban disclosed earlier that Boehler had been meeting with a delegation, including Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss hostage issues.

The release of Glezmann is viewed by the Taliban as part of a broader “normalization” of ties between the US and Afghanistan following the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021. However, most countries still do not recognize the Taliban’s rule.

Glezmann’s release follows a separate deal in January, also mediated by Qatar, that secured the releases of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty. In that exchange, the Taliban released the two Americans in exchange for Khan Mohammed, who was detained on the battlefield in Afghanistan and later sentenced to two life terms in the US for narco-terrorism.

However, in this latest agreement, the US did not release any prisoners in exchange for Glezmann, according to an official briefed on the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The release was characterized as a goodwill gesture by the Taliban.

Prior to leaving office, former President Biden considered a proposal to release Glezmann and other Americans in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, a detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However, Biden ultimately rejected trading Rahim unless the Taliban also released Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman and contractor who disappeared in Kabul in 2022.

The FBI and Habibi’s family believe he was taken by Taliban forces, a claim the Taliban denies. Representatives for Habibi maintain there is “overwhelming evidence” that he was arrested by the Taliban after his home was searched by individuals identifying themselves as part of the Taliban’s security service.