Photo: from open sources
Kabul, 21 March 2025 – George Glezmann, 66, a mechanic for Delta Airlines, has been released after weeks of negotiations between Qatari and American mediators. “Today, after two and a half years in captivity in Afghanistan, George Glezmann is reunited with his wife Alexandra,” US Senator Marco Rubio told CNN.
According to a US official, the US did not release anyone in exchange for Glezmann. The American was detained by the Taliban in December 2022, about 16 months after the group regained control of Afghanistan. U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who have been actively advocating for his release, noted that Glezmann had travelled to Afghanistan for a five-day trip to “explore the cultural landscape and rich history of the country.”
According to them, Glezmann’s conditions of detention were extremely harsh: he was kept in a 2.7 by 2.7 metre cell with other prisoners and was held in solitary confinement for months, including underground. On Thursday, 20 March, George Glezmann was taken home from Kabul by Adam Bohler, a US representative, and Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US ambassador to Afghanistan. “The Taliban government has agreed to release him as a gesture of goodwill to the US president and the American people. George is on his way home to his family,” Khalilzad said.
CNN sources said that Glezmann’s release was made possible by the mediation efforts of Qatar, which played a key role in negotiations with the Taliban. This case is a rare example of cooperation between the Taliban and the international community after their return to power in 2021.
Glezmann’s return home was welcome news for his family and those who fought for his release, underscoring the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving such crises. At the same time, it is a reminder of the complexity of the situation in Afghanistan, where foreigners are still at risk due to instability and the actions of radical groups.
