On Thursday, the Taliban released George Glezmann, an American who had been detained in Afghanistan since 2022.
A source informed Reuters that Glezmann’s release resulted from direct talks in Kabul between U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Taliban officials. Glezmann, who was held while visiting as a tourist, left on a Qatari plane heading to Qatar. He and Boehler will later travel to the United States.
BREAKING: The Trump administration has secured the release of George Glezmann, a US citizen detained by the Taliban. pic.twitter.com/P6diHQhSzA
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 20, 2025U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the news regarding a significant meeting in Kabul. This meeting marked the highest-level talks between the U.S. and the Taliban since President Donald Trump’s administration began in January. Participants included U.S. envoy Thomas Boehler and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, they discussed issues such as bilateral relations, prisoner releases, and consular services. Qatar, which is assisting U.S. interests in Afghanistan, facilitated the release of George Glezmann.
U.S. citizen George Glezmann is free after American and Qatari negotiators secured his release from Taliban detention in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/MpvN2dTTLu
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) March 20, 2025The Taliban referred to it as a “goodwill gesture” aimed at fostering mutual respect with the United States. According to sources, no Afghan detainees were exchanged during this process. Recent negotiations in Qatar have finally yielded results after weeks of talks. This development follows a deal made in January under the Biden administration, in which an Afghan detainee was released in exchange for two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty. The release of Glezmann represents a significant step in diplomatic relations.
