At least one American detained in Afghanistan was released amid the US presidential transition, according to his family.
The Taliban had previously confirmed that they were holding Ryan Corbett, an American arrested in Afghanistan in August 2022 and whom the State Department had classified as wrongfully detained.
“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” his family said in a statement. on its website Tuesday morning. .
It was not immediately clear if Corbett was the only American freed or if he had been exchanged for any Afghans in American custody.
The Corbett family thanked both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, who took office on Monday. The Biden administration had been in talks with the Taliban to exchange Americans detained in Afghanistan for Afghans in US custody, a senior Taliban leader 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.
Corbett, a longtime resident of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of US-led forces in 2021, was visiting the country at the time of his arrest. His health was said to have worsened during his detention.
The Corbett family said they were thinking of those still awaiting the return of other Americans detained in Afghanistan, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, whose release has recently been reported as a possibility.
“We had hoped that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would return to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain our good fortune will bring them,” they said. “We recognize the immense privilege of our family’s reunion today and commit to continuing to pray (and fight) for the speedy release of George and Mahmoud.”
Biden spoke with relatives of Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi earlier this month.
The Taliban had said the accusations against the three Americans included espionage and preaching Christianity in Afghanistan, a country the Taliban rule under Islamic law.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
