"Coyle, a 64-year-old academic from the state of Colorado, was detained in January 2025 for what were called 'violations of Afghanistan's applicable laws.' The charges were never detailed, giving rise to accusations that the Taliban purposely arrested foreign citizens to use as bargaining chips."
"'While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done,' Rubio said in a statement. 'We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans. The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.'"
"Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a statement the release came after the Supreme Court 'deemed his [Coyle's] period of detention sufficient and decided on his release.'"
Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old academic from Colorado, was released by the Taliban after being detained for over a year. His release followed a plea from his mother during Eid al-Fitr. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Coyle's return and thanked Qatar and the UAE for their assistance. Coyle's family stated he was in Afghanistan legally as an academic researcher. Rubio emphasized the need for further action to secure the release of other detained Americans, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby, and criticized the Taliban's hostage diplomacy.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]