The Taliban has released American hostages after enduring two and a half years of prisoners in Afghanistan, the State Department announced Thursday.
George Grezman, 65, a mechanic at Delta Air Lines in the United States, returns home after the US negotiates with the Taliban in Qatar for his release. According to To the State Department. Grezman was first taken hostage when he visited Afghanistan as a tourist in 2022.
“George’s release is a positive and constructive step,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the announcement. “It also reminds us that other Americans are still in detention in Afghanistan. President Trump will continue his tireless work to free all Americans who are unfairly detained around the world.” (Related: Hamas agrees to release American hostages who have been held for 525 days)
Height above Kabul A Taliban armed with Kalashnikov Overlooking the city of Kabul on February 17, 2025 (Photy by Philippe de Poulpiquet/Hans Lucas/AFP by Getty Images)
Grezman suffered from many health problems during his detention, including benign tumors on the left side of his body, respiratory problems, his left eye, his wife, Alexandra, I said Wall Street Journal in September.
Aleksandra Glezmann wrote to Biden in July, appealing for action on her behalf of her husband, according to the WSJ.
“We are not wealthy or famous people either,” she said in a letter, according to the WSJ. “I will personally intervene in George’s issues and beg him to do everything on your own to bring him home.”
Two other American hostages, Ryan Corbett and William McEntire, were released on January 20th on the night of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to the State Department. Negotiations for all three hostages began as Biden took office in January.
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan in 2021 after its withdrawal from the US. Thirteen Americans died in a monastery bomb near Kabul Airport during their withdrawal.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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