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Afghanistan announces release of detained American citizen
The Taliban authorities have confirmed the release of an American citizen held in Afghanistan since December 2024. The freed man, identified as 36-year-old Amir Amiri, was handed over to Adam Boehler, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, during a meeting in Kabul.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the move, calling it “an important step.” He emphasized that several Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan and stressed that Washington will continue its efforts until all are safely returned.
Taliban officials highlighted that the release demonstrates their willingness to resolve sensitive cases through diplomatic channels, rather than using detainees for political leverage. They also thanked Qatar for acting as a mediator, as it had recently done in the case of a British couple released after months of detention.
Amiri is now en route to the United States, with a brief stop in Doha for medical checks. His case adds to a series of negotiated releases over the past year, underscoring the role of Qatar as a key intermediary between Kabul and the international community.