George Glezmann, a U.S. citizen who was detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for over two years, has been released. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday that Glezmann, 65, was on his way back to the U.S.; the Atlanta native had been in custody after being detained by Taliban authorities while on a tourist visit to Afghanistan in December 2022.
Glezmann was an airline mechanic for Delta Air Lines; according to his family, he intended to spend five days in the country exploring its history and culture, but was detained by the Taliban’s intelligence service on Dec. 5 – he was never charged with any crime or offense. Afghanistan is classified by the State Department as a Level 4 country, meaning Americans should not travel there under any circumstances.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement: “Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra. George’s release is a positive and constructive step. 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.” Rubio also thanked Qatar, who facilitated the release of Glezmann, for its “steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts,” calling Qatari officials “instrumental in securing George’s release.”
The New York Post reported that Glezmann was released following negotiations brokered by Trump special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, Taliban officials and Qatari officials. Boehler and former US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met with Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman and senior adviser to the prime minister Majed Al Ansari as well as Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to finalize Glezmann’s release.
Khalilzad posted a statement on X announcing Glezmann’s release, writing: “Today is a good day. We succeeded in obtaining the release of an American citizen, Georg Glezmann, after two years in detention in Kabul. The Taliban government agreed to free him as a goodwill gesture to @POTUS and the American people. George is on his way home to his family. @realDonaldTrump has made the freedom and homecoming of Americans held abroad a high priority. It is an honor to assist in this important effort.”
A statement issued Thursday by Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Glezmann’s release “a goodwill gesture, reflecting Afghanistan’s readiness to genuinely engage all sides, particularly the United States of America, on the basis of mutual respect and interests. The end of conflict in Afghanistan, suppression of corrupt groups such as Daesh [ISIS], and no threat emanating from Afghanistan towards others, demonstrates that Afghanistan can play a positive role in regional and world stability, and is able to resolve its issues with the world on amicable terms.”
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