George Glezmann, an American who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, has been released following negotiations involving U.S. and Qatari officials, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday.
Glezmann, 65, was kidnapped by the Taliban while visiting Afghanistan and was freed after a diplomatic effort led by Trump’s special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, alongside Taliban officials and Qatari mediators, according to the New York Post.
Negotiations for Glezmann’s Release
Boehler and former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad played key roles in the negotiations, meeting with Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson and Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister, Majed Al Ansari, and Taliban official Amir Khan Muttaqi to finalize the release.
Following weeks of three-party talks, Glezmann left Kabul and was en route to Doha, Qatar on Thursday before heading back to the U.S.
“George Glezmann is free. George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he’s on his way to being reunited with his wife Aleksandra. Welcome home, George!” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Trump’s Role in Hostage Recovery Efforts
Zalmay Khalilzad emphasized the importance Donald Trump placed on securing the freedom of wrongfully detained Americans.
“Today is a good day. We succeeded in obtaining the release of an American citizen, George Glezmann, after two years in detention in Kabul. The Taliban government agreed to free him as a goodwill gesture to Donald Trump and the American people. George is on his way home to his family. Donald Trump has made the freedom and homecoming of Americans held abroad a high priority. It is an honor to assist in this important effort,” Khalilzad wrote on X.
Qatar’s Diplomatic Role in U.S.-Taliban Relations
Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Qatar has played a central role in facilitating discussions between Washington and the Taliban, ensuring that humanitarian corridors remain open.
According to the New York Times, Qatar has acted as a mediator in multiple diplomatic engagements, particularly in securing the return of Americans detained in Afghanistan.
Americans Still Stranded in Afghanistan
While Glezmann’s release marks a diplomatic success, at least 175 Americans remain stranded in Afghanistan, as testified by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken before Congress in 2023.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed to the New York Post that multiple Americans remain detained by the Taliban and that U.S. officials continue to push for their return.
“There are several Americans currently detained in Afghanistan, and we have been pressing the Taliban to return the remains of a deceased American,” the spokesperson stated.
Glezmann’s Return Marks a Victory for U.S. Diplomacy
The successful release of George Glezmann highlights the ongoing diplomatic efforts to rescue Americans held abroad. While the U.S. continues to press for the safe return of all detained citizens, Glezmann’s homecoming represents a significant breakthrough in these efforts.