ISLAMABAD — A significant prisoner exchange occurred between the United States and the Taliban of Afghanistan, resulting in the release of two American citizens who had been held. This swap involved a Taliban member, Khan Mohammed, who was serving a life sentence in California for drug trafficking and terrorism offenses, according to statements made by officials on Tuesday.
The exchange took place against the backdrop of a transition in power from President Joe Biden, who directed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, to former President Donald Trump. The Taliban hailed this swap as a positive step toward fostering better relations with the United States; however, widespread international recognition of their government remains elusive.
The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that two American nationals were exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who had been sentenced to consecutive life sentences for his crimes in 2008. The family of one of the released Americans, Ryan Corbett, expressed their relief and joy in a statement, confirming his return after being detained by the Taliban in August 2022 during a business trip to Afghanistan.
In their statement, Corbett’s family shared their heartfelt gratitude for his safe return after enduring a grueling 894 days of uncertainty. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of both Presidents Trump and Biden, along with numerous other officials who contributed to securing his release. Additionally, they recognized the influential role played by Qatar in negotiating the exchange and visiting Corbett during his captivity, as Qatar served as the U.S. Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Responses from Qatar regarding the exchange have not yet been made available.
Reports indicate that the second American who was released is William McKenty, although specific details about him and his situation in Afghanistan remain unclear. Khan Mohammed, aged 55, had been incarcerated in California following his conviction in 2008. He is no longer listed as being in custody by the Bureau of Prisons.
According to Deputy Spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal of the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry, Mohammed has returned to Afghanistan to be with his family, although no public celebrations or acknowledgments of his release were planned. Mohammed’s arrest occurred during a military operation in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, where he was subsequently transported to the U.S. He was found guilty by a federal jury for trafficking heroin and opium destined for the United States, an action that involved supporting terrorist activities.
At the time of his conviction, the U.S. Justice Department characterized him as a violent jihadist engaged in drug trafficking and attempting to harm U.S. troops with rockets. He was notably the first individual convicted under U.S. narco-terrorism legislation.
Before leaving office, the Biden administration was actively negotiating a deal to release Corbett alongside two other individuals, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in return for Muhammad Rahim, a Guantanamo Bay detainee.
Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, had been captured by the Taliban in December 2022. Habibi, an Afghan-American contractor, also went missing the same year while working in Afghanistan. The Taliban has denied holding Habibi.
Inquiries from officials in Washington regarding the exchange went unanswered following Trump’s inauguration. The Taliban has described the agreement as the product of prolonged and productive negotiations with the U.S., emphasizing that it serves as an example of resolving issues through dialogue.
They also indicated that such actions by the United States could pave the way for better normalization and development of bilateral relations. The Taliban are eager for recognition from the international community, particularly in light of the severe economic hardship following their takeover, marked by frozen international funds and the emigration of skilled Afghans.
