An American airline company mechanic who was apprehended in Afghanistan for more than 2 years went back to the United States on Friday following an offer to protect his release brokered by Qatar.
” George Glezmann is totally free. George was wrongfully apprehended in Afghanistan for 2 and a half years. He got to Joint Base Andrews previously today, where he was welcomed by his other half and a little inviting celebration,” State Department representative Tammy Bruce stated on Friday. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited Qatar for its “unfaltering dedication and diplomatic efforts.”
Glezmann, 66, was nabbed by the Taliban’s intelligence service in December 2022 while taking a trip through Afghanistan as a traveler. Glezmann’s health apparently decreased throughout his detention, and he needs healthcare upon his return.
Glezmann’s release was assisted in by United States captive envoy Adam Boehler. Boehler apparently consulted with Taliban agents, consisting of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in order to protect the offer.
Talking to a press reporter on Friday, Glezmann thanked President Donald Trump and other United States authorities for protecting his release. “I owe money with everyone that was associated with this scenario, due to the fact that they got me home,” he stated.
The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry stated the release was given on “humanitarian premises” as a goodwill gesture. Unlike a previous handle January– when the United States released an Afghan founded guilty on drug and terrorism charges in exchange for 2 apprehended Americans– no detainees held by the United States were launched in return for Glezmann.
Rubio highlighted that while Glezmann’s return was a favorable action, “other Americans are still apprehended in Afghanistan.” In the middle of news of the offer, the household of Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American business owner who vanished in 2022, continues to push for his release.