A Georgia man held by Afghanistan’s Taliban since December 2022 was on his way back to the US on Thursday after negotiators from the Trump administration secured his release, a diplomatic source told The Post.
George Glezmann, 65, was kidnapped by the Taliban while visiting Afghanistan but was freed following talks facilitated by Trump’s special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, along with Taliban and Qatari officials.
Boehler, alongside 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’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, to finalize Glezmann’s release earlier Thursday.
After weeks of negotiations, Glezmann left Kabul and was en route to Doha.
President Trump “has made the freedom and return of Americans held abroad a top priority,” Khalilzad wrote on X. “It is an honor to contribute to this crucial effort.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry has been instrumental in facilitating talks between the Taliban and the US since former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal of American forces and diplomats from Afghanistan in August 2021.
According to the source, Qatar’s main role is to ensure that “humanitarian corridors remain open” to and from Afghanistan.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified before Congress in 2023 that at least 175 Americans remain stranded in Afghanistan, though he did not disclose how many are being wrongfully detained by the Taliban.
Qatar is leading the efforts to support Glezmann’s immediate repatriation and any necessary medical care as he heads back to reunite with his family.
“President Trump has made the freedom and homecoming of Americans held abroad a top priority,” Khalilzad wrote on X. “It is an honor to assist in this important effort.”
In a statement, the State Department expressed gratitude to Qatar, noting their “steadfast commitment and diplomatic efforts” were crucial in securing Glezmann’s release. “Qatar has consistently proven to be a reliable partner and trusted mediator, facilitating complex negotiations,” the department added.
“George’s release is a positive and constructive step. It also serves as a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will continue his tireless work to free ALL Americans unjustly detained worldwide.”
In late 2023, the State Department officially declared Glezmann “wrongfully detained,” a designation that helped direct additional federal resources to his case, although he remained in Taliban captivity.
“I’m beyond thrilled that George Glezmann is returning home to Georgia. My best wishes go out to George and his wife Aleksandra, who I’ve gotten to know well over the past two trying and difficult years,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). “Together with Senator [Jon] Ossoff [D-Ga.], I’ve proudly pushed Presidents of both parties to do everything in their power to bring George home, and today we can finally celebrate that moment. Welcome home, George.”
Two other Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, were released by the Taliban in January after the Biden administration struck a deal just before leaving office.
Both returned home after Trump’s inauguration.
The White House recently withdrew Boehler’s nomination as hostage affairs envoy following criticism over his public comments regarding his negotiations with Hamas during its war with Israel.
“In regard to the Hamas situation, I do think there’s hope. Israel has done a wonderful, masterful job eliminating Hamas, Hezbollah, and a number of other enemies in the state, which makes things possible that weren’t possible before,” Boehler told CNN’s Jake Tapper on the Sunday public affairs show State of the Union earlier this month.
“And I think we could see something like a long-term truce, where we forgive prisoners, where Hamas lays down its arms, and agrees not to be part of the political party going forward.”
Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, reportedly urged Boehler not to make direct contact with Hamas — a suggestion Boehler rejected.
“I do understand. I spoke with Ron, and I’m sympathetic. He has someone he doesn’t know well making direct contact with Hamas,” Boehler explained.
“Maybe I would see them and say, ‘Look, they don’t have horns growing out of their heads. They’re actually guys like us. They’re pretty nice guys.’”
Days later, Boehler’s nomination was withdrawn, and he was re-designated as a “special government employee.”
“I want to be CRYSTAL CLEAR as some have misinterpreted. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has murdered thousands of innocent people. They are BY DEFINITION bad people,” he clarified in an X post after his CNN interview.
“And as @POTUS has said, not a single Hamas member will be safe if Hamas doesn’t RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES IMMEDIATELY.”
