U.S. and Taliban Conduct Prisoner Exchange Involving Afghan Detainee

An Afghan prisoner incarcerated in the United States for terrorism and drug trafficking charges has been exchanged for the release of two Americans detained by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.

The settlement, mediated just before President Joe Biden stepped down, facilitated the release of the two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty.

Khan Mohammad, the Afghan detainee, returned to Afghanistan after serving a life sentence in a federal prison in California.

The Taliban government in Kabul confirmed the exchange in an official statement, saying:
“An Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammad, imprisoned in America, has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country.”

Ryan Corbett's family expressed gratitude for the efforts behind his release, acknowledging the contributions of Qatar and the outgoing Biden administration in brokering the agreement.