At least one American detained in Afghanistan was released amid the U.S. presidential transition, according to his family.
The Taliban had earlier confirmed that it was holding Ryan Corbett, an American arrested in Afghanistan in August 2022 and whom the State Department had classified as wrongfully detained.
“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” his family said in a statement on their website early Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear whether Corbett was the only American released or whether he had been exchanged for any Afghans in U.S. custody.
The Corbett family thanked both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, who was sworn into office on Monday. The Biden administration had been in talks with the Taliban to exchange Americans detained in Afghanistan for Afghans in U.S. custody, a senior Taliban leader with direct knowledge of the negotiations told NBC News this month.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Tuesday.
Corbett, a longtime resident of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in 2021, was visiting the country at the time of his arrest. He was said to be experiencing declining health during his detention.
The Corbett family said they were thinking of those still waiting for the return of other Americans held in Afghanistan, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, whose release has recently been reported as a possibility.
“It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them,” they said. “We recognize the immense privilege of our family’s reunion today, and pledge to keep praying — and fighting — for George and Mahmoud’s swift release.”
Biden spoke with family members of Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi earlier this month.
The Taliban had said the accusations against the three Americans included spying and preaching Christianity in Afghanistan, which the Taliban rules according to Islamic law.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
