American citizen George Glezmann, detained by the Taliban for over two years, has been released and is on his way back to the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the release on Thursday (March 20), crediting Qatar for its crucial role in brokering the deal. Glezmann, a 66-year-old Delta Air Lines mechanic from Atlanta, was seized by the Taliban's intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling in Afghanistan as a tourist. He was later designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government.

Glezmann's release follows the earlier release of two other Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, in a deal mediated by Qatar during the final days of the Biden administration. Unlike the previous exchange, no prisoners were released by the U.S. in return for Glezmann, marking it as a goodwill gesture by the Taliban.

U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler was involved in securing Glezmann's release and is accompanying him back to the U.S. The release is seen as part of the ongoing normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan, though most countries still do not recognize the Taliban's rule.

Glezmann's wife, Aleksandra, eagerly awaits his return. She had previously expressed concerns about his health, noting he had a benign tumor and other health issues. Glezmann faced harsh conditions, including solitary confinement and limited contact with his family.

This release underscores Qatar's role as a mediator between the U.S. and the Taliban, facilitating complex negotiations despite the absence of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. Secretary Rubio praised Qatar for its steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts in securing Glezmann's release.

Mike McConnell