At least one American detained in Afghanistan was released during the U.S. presidential transition period in an apparent prisoner swap with the Taliban, according to his family.
The Taliban have confirmed they are holding American Ryan Corbett, who was arrested in Afghanistan in August 2022 and was classified as unlawfully detained by the State Department.
“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise for the God who sustained Ryan’s life and brought him home after 894 of the most difficult and uncertain days of his life.” His family released a statement on their website early Tuesday morning. .
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that an “American citizen” was released in exchange for Khan Mohammad, who was arrested in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province nearly 20 years ago and was serving a life sentence in California.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told NBC News on Tuesday that two Americans had been released but declined to disclose their identities.
The Corbett family expressed their gratitude to both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, who was sworn into office on Monday. The Biden administration has been in talks with the Taliban to exchange American prisoners held in Afghanistan with Afghans in U.S. custody, a senior Taliban official with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NBC News this month.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Tuesday.
The Corbett family and the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed their appreciation for the Qatari government’s mediation efforts.
Corbett had lived in Afghanistan for many years until U.S.-led forces withdrew in 2021, and was visiting the country at the time of his arrest. His health was said to have deteriorated while in custody.
The Corbett family is concerned about other Americans held in Afghanistan still awaiting their return, including the families of George Glezman and Mahmoud Habibi, whose release was recently reported as possible. He said he was thinking about it.
“While it was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be reunited with their families, we cannot imagine the pain our good fortune will cause them,” they said. “Today, we recognize the immense privilege of having reunited their families and pledge to continue to pray and fight for the speedy release of George and Mahmoud.”
Biden met with the families of Corbett, Glezman and Habibie this month.
The Taliban said the charges against the three Americans include espionage and proselytizing Christianity in Afghanistan, which the Taliban rules under Islamic law.
Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong and Mushtaq Yousafzai from Peshawar, Pakistan.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
