Afghanistan releases detained US citizen after more than a year
64-year-old linguist Dennis Coyle freed after family's direct appeal to the supreme leader.
Afghanistan's Taliban government announced the release of US citizen Dennis Coyle on March 24, 2026, ending a detention that began in January 2025. Coyle, a 64-year-old linguist and researcher, was arrested on unspecified charges of violating Afghan laws. The decision for his release came after his family wrote a direct appeal to the country's supreme leader, requesting a pardon on humanitarian grounds for the Eid holiday. The Taliban's Supreme Court deemed his 14-month detention period sufficient.
The release was facilitated through diplomatic channels involving a meeting with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, former US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the UAE Ambassador to Kabul Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, and a member of Coyle's family. The UAE played a key role in the process, which the Afghan foreign ministry stated was conducted as a gesture of goodwill. Coyle appeared at a brief news conference at Kabul airport alongside Khalilzad, showing visible relief at his newfound freedom.
- US researcher Dennis Coyle, 64, was detained for over 14 months starting January 2025.
- Release followed a direct family appeal to the Taliban supreme leader for an Eid pardon.
- Diplomatic facilitation involved the UAE, former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, and Taliban Foreign Minister.
Why It Matters
Highlights ongoing, complex diplomatic engagements between the US and the Taliban government despite no formal recognition.