In a significant development, George Glezmann, an American tourist who was abducted in Afghanistan over two years ago, has been successfully released by the Taliban. This release comes as a result of a diplomatic effort brokered by Qatari negotiators and facilitated by the Trump administration, according to statements made by the State Department on Thursday.
Glezmann, an airline mechanic hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, was taken captive by the Taliban’s intelligence services in December 2022. Following his abduction, the U.S. government designated him as wrongfully detained in 2023. His release marks the third instance of an American detainee being freed by the Taliban since January of this year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Glezmann is currently en route back to the United States, where he will be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra. In his statement, Rubio expressed gratitude towards Qatar for its "steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts" which he deemed crucial for securing Glezmann’s release. He remarked, "George’s release is a positive and constructive step," while also highlighting the ongoing plight of other Americans still detained in Afghanistan.
As part of the return process, Glezmann is being accompanied by Adam Boehler, an official who has been actively involved in handling hostage issues during the Trump administration. Earlier on the day of Glezmann’s release, the Taliban revealed that Boehler was engaged in discussions regarding hostage situations with a delegation that included Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The release of Glezmann is related to the Taliban's ongoing efforts to normalize relations with the United States following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Despite this, most countries have yet to formally recognize the Taliban's governance. Glezmann's release follows a previous arrangement in January, which occurred in the final days of the Biden administration. This earlier deal, also mediated by Qatar, led to the release of two other American citizens, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, in exchange for a Taliban detainee, Khan Mohammed.
Unlike the previous arrangement, the U.S. did not agree to a prisoner exchange for Glezmann's release; instead, it was framed as a goodwill gesture. An official familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, confirmed this detail.
Before leaving office, President Joe Biden considered a proposal for the release of Glezmann and other Americans in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. However, he informed families in January that he would not support such a trade unless the Taliban released Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who went missing in 2022. The FBI and Habibi’s family believe he was captured by the Taliban, a claim the Taliban has denied.
Representatives for Habibi assert that there is "overwhelming evidence" of his arrest by the Taliban after his home was searched by individuals claiming to be from the Taliban's security service. One of Habibi's brothers, Ahmad, expressed confidence in the Trump administration's commitment to securing his brother's release, stating, "We have reason to be confident Mahmood is alive and in Taliban custody, despite their hollow denials of holding him." He emphasized Habibi's status as an innocent man who has been separated from his family for 953 days.
