Washington D.C. – January 21, 2025 – Hostage Aid Worldwide welcomes the safe release of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, two American citizens who were unlawfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. After enduring years of captivity and hardship, both men have been reunited with their families.
The release was made possible through a negotiated agreement in which Corbett and McKenty’s freedom was secured in exchange for Khan Mohammed, an Afghan Taliban member who had been serving a life sentence in the United States for narco-terrorism. Qatar played a pivotal role in facilitating the negotiations and hosting discussions between U.S. officials and the Taliban.
Ryan Corbett, a husband, a father, and humanitarian, had been unlawfully detained in Afghanistan for 894 days, since August 10, 2022. He was captured alongside a German colleague and two Afghan nationals who were released later, but Corbett remained in captivity. No charges were ever filed against him, and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared his detention arbitrary. During his time in captivity, Corbett’s health deteriorated significantly, with reports of fainting spells and seizures.
William McKenty’s case remained less publicized, as his family had asked the U.S. government to keep his identity private.
The release of both men follows months of tireless advocacy and complex negotiations under difficult circumstances.
“We are overjoyed to see Ryan and William reunited with their loved ones. Their ordeal has been unimaginable, particularly with Ryan’s health challenges,” said Nizar Zakka, President of Hostage Aid Worldwide. “However, while we celebrate this significant achievement, it is bittersweet. At least two American citizens remain in Taliban custody, although the Taliban only acknowledge holding one of them. Additionally, the case of Paul Edwin Overby Jr. has remained unresolved for more than a decade.”
Hostage Aid Worldwide commends the diligent efforts of all those involved in securing the release of Corbett and McKenty. However, with Americans still detained in Afghanistan, we urge the U.S. Government to secure the release of the remaining U.S. citizens still unlawfully held there.
