The Taliban freed an American hostage after enduring two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, the State Department announced Thursday.
American Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann, 65, will return home after the U.S. negotiated with the Taliban in Qatar for his release, according to the State Department. Glezmann was initially taken hostage when visiting Afghanistan as a tourist in 2022.
“George’s release is a positive and constructive step,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the announcement. “It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will continue his tireless work to free ALL Americans unjustly detained around the world.”
Glezmann suffered from numerous health problems during his detainment, including a benign tumor on the left side of his body, respiratory problems and his left eye is losing vision, his wife, Aleksandra, told the Wall Street Journal in September.
Aleksandra Glezmann wrote a letter to Biden in July pleading for action on her husband’s behalf, according to the WSJ.
“We are not wealthy or famous people,” she said in her letter according to the WSJ. “I beseech you to intervene personally in George’s matter and do everything in your power to bring him home.”
Two other American hostages, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, were released the night of President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the State Department said. The negotiations for all three hostages began under Biden in January as he was leaving office.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal from the nation in 2021, which was marred with logistical and security blunders from former President Joe Biden’s administration. 13 Americans died in the Abbey Gate bombings near Kabul Airport during the withdrawal.
The State Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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