Taliban Frees US Tourists Detained Since 2022

JAKARTA - The Taliban on Thursday released a United States citizen detained in Afghanistan for more than two years.

The release of US citizens came after direct talks between US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Taliban officials in Kabul.

George Glezmann, who was detained in 2022 while visiting Kabul as a tourist, left Afghanistan on a Qatar plane on Thursday, March 20 evening for Qatar, a source told Reuters.

Glezmann and Boehler are expected to continue their journey to the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement confirming the release of Glezmann.

Thursday's meeting in Kabul marks the highest-level direct talks between the United States and the Taliban since President Donald Trump came to power in January.

Boehler met with the Taliban government's foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to a statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry.

"During this meeting, discussions were held on Afghanistan-US bilateral relations, release of prisoners, and provision of consular services for Afghans in the United States," the statement said.

The meeting was also attended by former US special representatives for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad.

Qatar, the Gulf Arab state representing US diplomatic interests in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, is coordinating with Boehler to negotiate the release of Glezmann with Taliban authorities.

"After weeks of negotiations, Qatar's breakthrough was reached during a recent meeting with the Taliban," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters.