Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe spokesperson for the US State Department stated that the detention of American citizens in Afghanistan has hindered positive engagement between Washington and the Taliban.
Matthew Miller emphasized on Wednesday that US officials have underscored the immediate and unconditional release of these citizens in meetings with Taliban representatives.
Regarding the fate of Ryan Corbett, an American citizen held by the Taliban since 2022, Mr. Miller stated, “The US government has consistently and persistently pressed for the immediate and unconditional release of detained Americans in Afghanistan, including in meetings with Taliban representatives.” He added, “The detention of American citizens is a significant barrier to positive interaction between the US and the Taliban.”
Previously, Morgan McGraw, a member of the US House of Representatives, also called for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett from Taliban detention. Ryan Corbett had been residing in Kabul with his wife and three children since 2010 and left Afghanistan in August 2021.
Mr. Corbett’s family stated that the Taliban detained him during a business trip to Kabul with a German colleague and two Afghan colleagues on August 10, 2022.
This comes when on Sunday, February 25th, an 84-year-old Australian citizen was released from Taliban captivity with the mediation of Qatar. He had travelled to Afghanistan last year and was detained by the Taliban on charges of espionage.
In the past, the Taliban has used detained Americans as leverage for exchanges with their imprisoned members in the United States.