American Academic Freed by Taliban Authorities After Over a Year
In a surprising turn of events, American scholar Dennis Coyle has been released by Afghanistan’s Taliban administration after more than a year in detention. The release coincided with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, according to the Afghan Foreign Ministry.
The ministry’s statement clarified that Coyle’s release in Kabul was facilitated by an appeal from his family and a decision from Afghanistan’s Supreme Court deeming his previous detention sufficient. Coyle was initially detained in January 2025 under unspecified allegations of breaking Afghan laws.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his approval of the release, stating, “President (Donald) Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office.” However, Rubio emphasized the need for further action.
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department announced Afghanistan’s designation as a sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing it of engaging in “hostage diplomacy.” Afghanistan, alongside Iran, was flagged by the United States for detaining Americans to gain policy leverage.
In response, Afghan officials denied these allegations, maintaining that arrests are made for legal violations, not as political maneuvers. The State Department highlighted that the Taliban still holds at least four U.S. nationals, including Coyle and Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan American contractor reportedly detained by Taliban forces in 2022. Afghan authorities have denied holding Habibi.
Habibi’s brother, Ahmad Habibi, welcomed Coyle’s release, stating a hope for similar relief when Mahmood is reunited with their family. Meanwhile, Rubio referenced another American, Paul Overby, missing since mid-2014 while researching in Afghanistan.
“We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” Rubio stated, urging the Taliban to cease its “hostage diplomacy.”
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reiterated that his nation does not detain foreigners for political purposes. Coyle’s release, according to the ministry, was a result of judicial processes and a gesture of goodwill aimed at fostering trust between nations.
The involvement of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in mediating Coyle’s release was acknowledged by both Rubio and Muttaqi. The Afghan Foreign Ministry expressed hope for resolving remaining issues through dialogue.
The Taliban’s rise to power in 2021, following the U.S. military’s withdrawal, marked a significant shift in Afghanistan’s political landscape. The U.S-led invasion nearly two decades prior had initially ousted them after the 9/11 attacks.
