KABUL – Afghanistan’s interim government announced Sunday the release of Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen who had been held in prison for more than two years on unspecified charges. His release marks a significant development amid strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Kabul.
Corbett, a businessman and father of four, was detained in Afghanistan in August 2023. His family, based in New York, had actively campaigned for his release, highlighting concerns over his health and the ambiguity surrounding his detention. They had urged the U.S. government to intensify efforts for his safe return.
While details surrounding the negotiations leading to Corbett’s release remain sparse, the U.S. State Department confirmed his departure from Afghanistan. U.S. officials had consistently pressed for his freedom, along with other American citizens believed to be detained by the Taliban-led administration since their takeover in August 2021.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, welcomed the news.
“We are relieved that Ryan Corbett has been freed and is now safely on his way to be reunited with his family,” the spokesperson stated. “We continue to press for the immediate and unconditional release of any other U.S. citizens who remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan.”
The interim Afghan government, which is not formally recognized by the United States or most international bodies, has yet to provide a detailed statement regarding the reasons for Corbett’s initial detention or the specific terms of his release. However, previous releases of foreign nationals have often been framed as humanitarian gestures or results of diplomatic engagement.
Corbett’s release follows other high-profile exchanges and unilateral releases in recent years, including that of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs in September 2022, who was exchanged for a prominent Taliban figure held in U.S. custody. The current release, however, does not appear to involve a direct swap, suggesting a potentially different diplomatic pathway.
The United States maintains a limited diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, primarily through Qatar, and its engagement with the Taliban-led administration has focused on counterterrorism, humanitarian aid, and human rights, including the rights of foreign detainees.
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