Two Americans freed in US-Taliban prisoner exchange

Two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, were freed in a prisoner exchange between the United States and the Taliban.

The deal was brokered by former President Biden before he left office, a Trump administration official told the Associated Press.

The two American citizens were exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life in prison in 2008.

The Trump administration celebrated the swap while the Taliban said it was hopeful that the tensions could be mended.

Corbett’s family announced the news on a website dedicated to freeing him. They thanked President Trump and Biden, along with their teams, for negotiating the deal. Corbett’s family also acknowledged Qatar, which helped secure the deal.

Corbett had been living in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the government. He was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip.

“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging 894 days of our lives,” the Corbett family said in a statement.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) celebrated Corbett’s release in a post online, calling it a “blessing.”

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) also celebrated Corbett’s release and shared photos of him with Corbett’s family when they joined him at the Capitol in 2024.

It was unclear what McKenty was doing in Afghanistan. His family has requested privacy, BBC reported.

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