Washington, Mar. 20, (dpa/GNA) – The Taliban in Afghanistan have released a US aircraft mechanic who had spent two and a half years in prison, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday.
The release of George Glezmann came after negotiations, Rubio said, adding that Glezmann is already on his way home to his wife.
An article in the Wall Street Journal that was posted on X by the White House stated that the Taliban had released the mechanic in exchange for improved relations with Washington.
Rubio called it a “positive and constructive step.” He thanked the Gulf state of Qatar for brokering the release.
In a photo released by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Glezmann can be seen alongside US special envoy Adam Boehler.
US citizens Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released by the Taliban on the day of Trump’s inauguration.
The Wall Street Journal wrote that Glezmann had travelled through Afghanistan in 2022 and was then imprisoned by the Taliban that December.