An American man who was kidnapped by the Taliban two years ago was released on Thursday in what officials called a “goodwill gesture” by the Afghan rulers.
George Glezmann was captured while visiting Afghanistan in December 2022. American leaders had been negotiating his release for months, with the aid of Qatar.
“George’s release is a positive and constructive step,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “We extend our deepest appreciation to the State of Qatar, whose steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts were instrumental in securing George’s release.”
No Afghan prisoners were freed in exchange for Glezmann, according to U.S. officials. Former ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said the “Taliban government agreed to free him as a goodwill gesture to [President Trump] and the American people.”
Glezmann was traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist when he was seized in December 2022, according to his relatives. He worked as a mechanic with Delta Airlines in Atlanta.
Earlier this year, in the last days of former President Biden’s administration, the U.S. agreed to a two-for-one prisoner swap with the Taliban. Two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, were released in exchange for Khan Mohammed. Mohammed had been sentenced to life in prison for narco-terrorism.
Biden said Glezmann was mentioned in those talks, but the Taliban refused to even acknowledge holding an Afghan-American citizen, Mahmood Habibi, who the Biden administration also wanted in the swap.
With News Wire Serivces