Two American prisoners have been freed by the Taliban in exchange for the release of a ‘violent jihadist’ who was serving life imprisonment in California.
Ryan Corbett and William McKenty are currently en route back to the US following the release of Khan Mohammad.
Mohammad was the first person to be convicted under American narco-terrorism laws and was sentenced to life in jail in 2008.
The family of dad-of-two Ryan Corbett confirmed he had been released in a statement.
He had been living in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the US-backed government and was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip.
‘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 and uncertain 894 days of our lives,’ the family’s statement said.
They thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials for their efforts in freeing him.
Corbett’s family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar ‘for their vital role in facilitating Ryan’s release, and for their visits to Ryan’.
Two American prisoners, including Ryan Corbett (right), have been freed by the Taliban in exchange for the release of a ‘violent jihadist’ who was serving life imprisonment in California

Corbett was on business in Afghanistan in 2022 when he was detained by the Taliban
Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the US and the Taliban over the years.
Corbett ran a non-government organization called Bloom Afghanistan, a social enterprise focused on strengthening Afghanistan´s private sector.
He was in Afghanistan to renew his business visa in 2022 when he was detained by the Taliban.
McKenty’s family had asked the U.S. government to keep his details private, according to the New York Times.
The prisoner exchange was the result of ‘long and productive’ negotiations between Afghan and American authorities, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
‘The Islamic Emirate views the actions of the United States positively when they contribute to normalizing and expanding relations between the two countries,’ it added.
According to the DOJ website, Taliban-member Mohammad was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts.
The website quoted court records saying Mohammad was ‘a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker’ who ‘sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets’.

Corbett’s family said they are ‘overwhelmed with gratitude’ about his safe return. Pictured: Corbett with his daughter Miriam and son Caleb

They were released in exchange for Khan Mohammad who was convicted on narco-terrorism charges in 2008
He was captured after trying to recruit an Afghan farmer to help carry out the attack who then tipped off the DEA.
The farmer met with Mohammad wearing a recording device and recorded his plans.
‘[T]he Americans are infidels and Jihad is allowed against them. If we have to fire [the missiles] toward the airport, we will do it and if not the airport, wherever they are stationed we will fire at their base too. I mean we have to use the mines too. God willing, we and you will keep doing our Jihad,’ Mohammad was recorded as saying.
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