The Taliban has freed Ryan Corbett and William McKenty held in Afghanistan as part of a prisoner swap. The release came in return for the handover of a Taliban figure serving a life sentence in the United States on drug trafficking and terrorism charges.
Corbett, who was abducted in August 2022 while on a business trip, had been living in Afghanistan since before the American-backed government fell in 2021. Corbett’s family, in a statement, thanked both the former administration of President Joe Biden and the administration of President Donald Trump for their efforts in securing his release.
They also expressed gratitude to Qatari authorities, noting that Doha had been a critical intermediary in the talks. In a statement they wrote, “Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life. These 894 days have been the most challenging and uncertain of our lives.”
Corbett’s family also said they recognized the privilege of having him returned and vowed to keep advocating for other Americans still believed to be in Taliban custody. Among those is airline mechanic George Glezmann and Afghan American businessman Mahmood Habibi.