Livingston County man Ryan Corbett has been released by the Taliban.
In a statement early Tuesday morning, Corbett's family announced he had been freed after being held prisoner for nearly 900 days in Afghanistan:
Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in Aug. 2022 while on a business trip. The Dansville man was released as former President Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed power over to returning President Donald Trump.
The Taliban's Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying two unidentified U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008.
Corbett's family thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials, for their efforts in freeing him. Since his capture, his wife Anna has been rallying governmental support and pushing for his release.
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 as the United States' Protecting Power in Afghanistan." Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years.
The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the "normalization" of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan, but that likely remains a tall order as most countries in the world still don't recognize their rule and another two Americans are believed to still be held.
Corbett was living in a nine-by-nine basement cell and his wife announced earlier this year that his health has taken a serious decline during his detention.
The family is asking for time for Ryan to heal and recover.
“While we begin the healing process with Ryan by our side, we remain mindful of the many families who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi," the family said in a statement Tuesday.
Those are two other U.S. citizens still reported to be wrongfully detained by the Taliban, and the Corbetts pledge to keep fighting of their release as well.
Corbett’s wife and three kids live in Dansville and are represented by Rep. Claudia Tenney, who introduced the resolution to the House of Representatives.
In a statement, she says:
“Ryan Corbett is finally being reunited with his family. These past nearly 900 days have been incredibly challenging for the Corbett family, yet the resilience and strength demonstrated by Anna, Ketsia, Miriam, and Caleb have been nothing short of inspiring… Today is a momentous day for our community and our nation, and we are thrilled that Ryan will finally be back where he belongs—at home with his family,”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer worked with Corbett’s family to introduce a resolution to the Senate.
“They represent the very best of upstate New York," he said. "[They are] hard working, God-fearing, persistent and humble.”
“The fact he saw bipartisanship in Congress, Republican, Democratic members from across the country working together to bring Americans home, this is a really welcome piece of good news," Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey said.
“We can finally, finally say these five amazing words: Ryan Corbett is coming home," Schumer said. "He's coming home."
