Taliban releases US citizen held over 2 years ago

WASHINGTON -- The Taliban in Afghanistan has released a US citizen it detained more than two years ago following efforts by the Trump administration and Qatari negotiators, the US State Department said in a statement on Thursday.

George Glezmann, 65, an airline mechanic, was on his way back to the United States to be reunited with his wife, said the statement.

Glezmann was held by the Taliban in December 2022 when he traveled through Afghanistan as a tourist. He is the third American detainee to be released by the Taliban since January. The first two were set free in the last days of the Biden administration.

The Taliban gave up its previous demand that America hand over imprisoned Taliban members and agreed to release Glezmann in exchange for improved relations with Washington, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials.

There are still seven Americans detained in Afghanistan, including one who is deceased, said the report.

Qatar has hosted negotiations between the US and the Taliban for years.