A prisoner exchange between the United States and Afghanistan’s Taliban has resulted in the release of two Americans in exchange for Khan Mohammed, a Taliban figure who is serving a life sentence in California for charges of drug trafficking and terrorism.
The Taliban hailed the swap as a move toward “normalization” of relations with the US, though global recognition of their rule remains unlikely. The Taliban’s foreign ministry confirmed the exchange, stating that Khan Mohammed was swapped for two US citizens. Mohammed, convicted in 2008, was serving two life sentences in California.
Ryan Corbett is one of the freed Americans. He had been held captive since August 2022, during a business trip in Afghanistan. His family expressed deep gratitude for his release to both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as Qatari officials, who helped to facilitate his freedom. Corbett spent 894 days in captivity.
The second American has not been identified at all, but CNN and the New York Times have named him William McKenty.
Khan Mohammed returned to Afghanistan where he was welcomed with jubilation in Nangarhar province. He said he was happy to be reunited with his family and kinsmen. Mohammed had been indicted for heroin and opium trafficking headed for the US, which were charges termed to be terrorism-related offenses. He is the first one to be convicted using US narco-terrorism laws.
Other detained Americans, such as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, remain in the dark. The Taliban denied having Habibi, Glezmann was captured in December 2022.
According to the Taliban, the swap was the fruit of “long and fruitful negotiations.” They say it is an example of successful dialogue in conflict resolution. But international skepticism about the Taliban’s rule has been a hindrance to general diplomatic relations.
