George Glezmann, a 66-year-old Delta Airlines mechanic from Atlanta, was released Thursday after more than two years in Taliban captivity, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Glezmann was abducted while traveling as a tourist in Afghanistan in December 2022. His release marks the third time since January that a U.S. detainee has been freed by the group.
“Today, after two and a half years of captivity in Afghanistan, George Glezmann is on his way to be reunited with his wife, Aleksandra,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. He thanked Qatar for its role in securing Glezmann’s freedom.
U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad traveled to Kabul and are accompanying Glezmann back to the U.S.
Unlike the January deal that secured the release of Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty in exchange for a Taliban prisoner, no prisoners were released for Glezmann’s freedom.
US official confirms that @aboehler led this negotiation and met directly with the Taliban in Kabul. And that @realZalmayMK was part of the team, as seen in the below Taliban photo. The US official confirms this was “not a swap. No one was released.” pic.twitter.com/en5yVrAAst
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) March 20, 2025
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said the release was granted on “humanitarian grounds” and a “goodwill gesture.”
Glezmann’s release is part of what the Taliban has described as the “normalization” of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. However, most countries still do not recognize the Taliban’s rule.
Rubio noted that other Americans remain detained in Afghanistan, including Mahmoud Habibi. The Taliban denies holding him, but U.S. officials believe he remains in custody.
“George’s release is a positive step,” Rubio said. “President [Donald] Trump will continue working to free all Americans unjustly detained worldwide.”
