George Glezmann, an American citizen who had been detained by the Taliban for two years while traveling as a tourist in Afghanistan, has been released through a deal brokered by Qatari mediators. The Trump administration announced his release through the U.S. State Department on Thursday.
In December 2022, Taliban Intelligence Services arrested George Glezmann, who works as an airline mechanic, accusing him of espionage. However, the U.S. government dismissed the charges as baseless, labeling them a false accusation. The following year, U.S. officials officially designated Glezmann as wrongfully detained, emphasizing their stance that his imprisonment was unjust and politically motivated.
Reportedly, Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed the release of George Glezmann on Thursday, citing humanitarian reasons stating:
“Islamic Emirate again reaffirms its longstanding position that dialogue, understanding and diplomacy provide effective avenues for resolving all issues.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan
The release of George Glezmann has been widely regarded as a goodwill gesture, with many observers interpreting it as an effort by the Afghan government to normalize relations with the United States. Unlike previous prisoner exchange deals, this release did not require the U.S. to free an Afghan citizen in return. Furthermore, Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Qatar for its diplomatic efforts, describing its role as “instrumental in securing George’s release.” He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the release of all Americans who are “unjustifiably” detained around the world.
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.
Marco Rubio