Taliban Releases American Citizen George Glezmann After 839 Days in Captivity

American citizen George Glezmann, a 66-year-old Delta Airlines mechanic from Atlanta, was released by the Taliban today in Afghanistan after more than two years in captivity. Glezmann was initially detained without formal charges during a cultural excursion to Afghanistan in late 2022.

A Journey Turns Unexpectedly Dire

Mr. Glezmann was taken into custody by the Taliban‘s intelligence services in December 2022 while visiting Afghanistan as a tourist. He had been traveling through the country when he was abducted, with no formal charges brought against him. In 2023, the U.S. government officially designated him as wrongfully detained, meaning his capture was seen as politically motivated rather than based on any criminal wrongdoing.

Diplomatic Efforts Behind the Scenes

His release was the result of months of diplomatic negotiations involving U.S. officials, Qatari mediators, and the Taliban. Adam Boehler, President Trump‘s envoy for hostage affairs, led the talks, working alongside former envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Since January 2025, Boehler has held multiple meetings with Taliban officials in Doha and even traveled to Kabul for final discussions with the Taliban’s foreign minister. These negotiations covered a range of topics, including detainee releases, consular services for Afghans in the U.S., and broader bilateral issues.

Qatar played a key role in securing Glezmann’s freedom. As a trusted intermediary with established connections to both the U.S. and the Taliban, Qatari officials facilitated meetings and arranged his transfer from Kabul to Doha. The Taliban framed his release as a “goodwill gesture,” demonstrating their confidence in Qatar’s mediation efforts.

Unlike previous cases where detainee releases were part of prisoner exchanges, Glezmann’s release did not involve any concessions from the U.S. This makes it a rare instance of the Taliban freeing a detained American without receiving anything in return. While this development is a positive step, it also highlights the ongoing efforts to manage relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan under Taliban rule despite the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.

Official Confirmation and Reactions

Earlier today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially confirmed the release of George Glezmann after two and a half years in Taliban captivity. In his statement, Rubio announced that Glezmann was on his way home to reunite with his wife, Aleksandra. He thanked Qatar for its crucial role in the negotiations, calling their diplomatic efforts “steadfast and instrumental” in securing Glezmann’s freedom.

Rubio described the release as a “positive and constructive step” but reminded the public that other Americans remain detained in Afghanistan. He also reaffirmed President Trump’s commitment to securing the freedom of all unjustly detained Americans worldwide.

The Taliban framed Glezmann’s release as a “goodwill gesture” toward the U.S. president and the American people. Adam Boehler, the U.S. hostage envoy, and former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad played key roles in the negotiations, meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul. Unlike previous releases, Glezmann’s freedom was not part of a prisoner swap or any concessions from the U.S., according to an official familiar with the matter.

Despite this diplomatic progress, the State Department continues to warn Americans against traveling to Afghanistan, maintaining its Level 4 travel advisory due to the ongoing security risks.

A Family’s Ordeal

Glezmann’s family endured a painful and uncertain 839 days while he was held captive by the Taliban. His wife, Aleksandra, played a crucial role in keeping hope alive and pushing for his release despite the many challenges they faced. Communication was rare, with only a few sporadic phone calls between them during his time in captivity. From these limited conversations, Aleksandra grew increasingly worried about his health, describing his physical and mental state as deteriorating.

She also struggled emotionally, trying to encourage George to hold on even as he lost strength. “I just tried to keep his hope alive, but it was hard—he didn’t have the strength left,” she said. The Glezmann family found support from Georgia’s congressional delegation, with Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff advocating for his release and pressing the U.S. government to take action.

For over two years, Aleksandra and the rest of the family lived in constant uncertainty, never knowing when or if George would be freed. Now, with his release, this painful chapter has finally come to an end. Soon, Aleksandra will be reunited with her husband after their long and difficult separation.

Context of Previous Releases

In late January 2025, the Taliban released two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated during the final days of the Biden administration. In return, the U.S. freed Khan Mohammed, a Taliban member who had been serving a life sentence in California for drug trafficking and terrorism. To facilitate the deal, President Biden granted a conditional commutation to Mohammed before leaving office.

The exchange was mediated by Qatari officials, who played a key role in organizing multiple rounds of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban. Qatar also provided logistical support to extract Corbett and McKenty from Kabul. Corbett had been kidnapped by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip and spent 894 days in captivity.

The families of both men expressed gratitude to both the Trump and Biden administrations for their efforts in securing their release. Initially, U.S. negotiators had hoped to include George Glezmann and another American, Mahmoud Habibi, in the deal, but they were unable to do so at the time. While this prisoner swap was seen as a step in ongoing efforts to manage relations with the Taliban, most countries, including the U.S., still do not officially recognize the Taliban government.

Looking Ahead

While Glezmann’s release is a significant diplomatic achievement, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to address the cases of other Americans still detained abroad. As of March 2025, approximately 46 Americans are currently being held hostage or wrongfully detained across 16 different countries. 

The administration’s continued engagement with international partners remains crucial in navigating these complex situations and ensuring the safe return of all U.S. citizens.