Taliban releases U.S. citizen George Glezmann
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Taliban Security personnel stand guard during the inauguration ceremony of the hydroelectric Kamal Khan Dam in Afghanistan on Feb. 5. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
U.S. citizen George Glezmann was released by the Taliban Thursday after being held for more than two years in Afghanistan, the State Department said.
Why it matters: Glezmann's release results from diplomatic efforts by President Trump's hostage envoy Adam Boehler and his predecessor, Biden administration hostage envoy Roger Carstens, with the help of Qatari mediators.
- Glezmann was detained by the Taliban in December 2022 when he was in Afghanistan as a tourist. He is the third American released by the Taliban since January.
Behind the scenes: Boehler met with Taliban officials in Doha at least three times since January to discuss the release of Americans detained in Afghanistan, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the issue.
- On Thursday, Boehler and Trump's former envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visited Kabul and met with the Taliban's foreign minister, the Taliban said in a statement.
- According to the statement, they discussed bilateral issues, the release of American detainees and the provision of consular services to Afghans in the United States.
- "The Foreign Minister added that it is important that Afghanistan and the United States are able to resolve issues through dialogue," the statement read.
- A source familiar with the issue said Qatari mediators were also in Kabul at the same time. After the meetings with the Taliban officials, Boehler and Glezmann traveled to Doha.
Between the lines: Boehler came under fire in recent weeks for the direct talks he held with Hamas in Doha as part of an effort to release American hostages held in Gaza.
- Boehler recently withdrew his nomination for the job of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostages Affairs and is expected to be appointed to another envoy role that will also deal with hostages but will have a broader mandate.
What they are saying: "Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
- Rubio expressed appreciation to Qatar for its mediation efforts, "which were instrumental in securing George's release."
What's next: A U.S. official stressed that Trump and Rubio have been clear with the Taliban that they want all Americans detained in Afghanistan to be set free.
- Among those believed held by the Taliban is Mahmood Habibi, an American businessman captured in 2022. The Taliban has denied holding Habibi.
