aliban free U.S. citizen Amir Amiry in prisoner swap effort .

Описание: The Taliban on Sunday released U.S. citizen Amir Amiry from an Afghan prison, weeks after signaling they had reached a prisoner-exchange agreement with American envoys as part of efforts to normalize relations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the move, calling it a reflection of the administration’s commitment—bolstered by President Donald Trump’s recent executive order—to protect Americans wrongfully detained overseas.

“While this is an important step, several U.S. citizens remain unjustly held in Afghanistan. President Trump will not rest until all of them return home,” Rubio said.

According to an official familiar with the matter, Amiry had been detained in Afghanistan since December 2024 and is now en route to the United States. The official requested anonymity, citing restrictions on discussing the case publicly.

Qatar mediated Amiry’s release, continuing its role as a key U.S. security partner in the region. This year alone, Qatar has helped secure the freedom of four other Americans from Taliban custody, as well as a British couple detained for months.

Amiry’s release sparked hope among families of other detainees. Ahmad Habibi, brother of Mahmood Habibi—an Afghan-American businessman held by the Taliban for over three years—welcomed the development while expressing hope his brother would also be freed.

“We are thankful for the assurances from senior U.S. officials that any agreement with the Taliban will be ‘all or nothing.’ They have told us directly that they will not leave my brother behind,” Habibi said.

Mahmood Habibi disappeared in 2022 while working as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecom company. His family and the FBI believe the Taliban are holding him, though the group has denied involvement.

It is unclear what the Taliban have received in return for releasing U.S. nationals. Afghanistan continues to face severe economic and humanitarian challenges, exacerbated by dwindling international aid and a powerful earthquake on 31 August.
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