
Two People held by the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have been exchanged for an Afghan imprisoned within the US on drug trafficking and terrorism fees.
The information emerged after Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty had been freed. The Afghan, Khan Mohmmad, had been serving a life sentence in a federal jail in California on drug trafficking and terrorism fees.
A press release from the Taliban authorities in Kabul introduced the settlement, which was concluded simply earlier than President Joe Biden ended his time period in workplace.
Mr Corbett’s launch was confirmed by his household. US media, quoting official sources, recognized Mr McKenty because the second American.
The deal – reportedly the end result of two years of negotiations – was accomplished simply earlier than Joe Biden handed over energy to Donald Trump on Monday.
“An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammed imprisoned in America has been launched in trade for Americans and returned to the nation,” the Taliban international ministry mentioned in an announcement.
The household of Ryan Corbett thanked each administrations in addition to Qatar for what they described as its very important position.
“At this time, our hearts are stuffed with overwhelming gratitude and reward to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him again residence after what has been essentially the most difficult and unsure 894 days of our lives,” the household mentioned.
Mr Corbett had lived in Afghanistan for a few years together with his household and was detained by the Taliban greater than two years in the past when he returned on a enterprise journey.
There are few particulars about Mr McKenty, whose household have requested for privateness.

Khan Mohammad was a member of the Taliban taken captive in Afghanistan in the course of the US’s navy engagement. He was jailed in 2008. Joe Biden commuted his sentence simply earlier than he left workplace.
The Taliban known as the trade the results of “lengthy and fruitful negotiations” with the US and “a superb instance of resolving points via dialogue”.
“The Islamic Emirate appears to be like positively on the actions of the USA of America that assist the normalisation and growth of relations between the 2 international locations,” it mentioned.
Because the Taliban took energy in 2021, they haven’t been formally recognised by any authorities.
Whereas the transfer is just not prone to change relations between Kabul and Washington, extra negotiations might observe – two different People are nonetheless in Afghanistan, believed to be George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi.
The Taliban are additionally looking for the discharge of an Afghan who is among the few remaining prisoners on the US’s Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
At a rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, President Trump threatened to chop humanitarian help to Afghanistan except the Taliban returned the navy gear seized after the US pulled out in 2021.
A US Division of Protection report in 2022 estimated that navy gear price $7bn had been left behind in Afghanistan after US forces withdrew.