US citizen released by Taliban after nine-month detention

September 28, 2025

Amir Amiry, a US citizen who was detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nine months, has been released following negotiations led by Qatar. He is the fifth American freed from Afghanistan this year and was traveling back to the United States as of Sunday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Qatar for their diplomatic efforts while noting that other US citizens remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan.

Who is affected

Amir Amiry (the released US citizen)
Other US citizens who remain detained in Afghanistan
Previously released Americans including Ryan Corbett and George Glezmann
British couple Peter and Barbie Reynolds who were also recently released

What action is being taken

Qatar is mediating negotiations for the release of detained individuals
The US government is working on securing the release of remaining detained Americans
Amir Amiry is being transported back to the United States via Doha
The Trump administration is continuing diplomatic efforts regarding detained Americans

Why it matters

Amiry is the fifth American released from Taliban detention in Afghanistan this year
Other US citizens remain "unjustly detained" in Afghanistan
The release demonstrates the continuing diplomatic relationship between Qatar, the US, and the Taliban
It follows a pattern of prisoner releases, including a January prisoner swap where the US released Taliban figure Khan Mohammad in exchange for detained Americans

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC