US Citizen Imprisoned in Afghanistan Freed After More Than a Year A U.S. citizen who had been held captive in Afghanistan for over a year was released, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CNN on Tuesday. The announcement came weeks after the Trump administration labeled Afghanistan a state sponsor of wrongful detention, a designation intended to pressure governments that hold American citizens hostage. Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old academic, was detained by the Taliban in Kabul in January 2025. His family and the U.S. government have stated that he was held in near solitary confinement without being charged with any crime. Coyle had spent nearly two decades working in Afghanistan before his arrest. The officials confirmed that no negotiations, trades, or payments were involved in securing Coyle’s release. The New York Times was the first to report his freedom. One official suggested that the U.S. designation of Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detention played a key role in pressuring the Taliban to release him. However, the officials noted that the designation will remain in place, as at least two other U.S. citizens—Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby—continue to be held in the country. The United Arab Emirates is believed to have facilitated Coyle’s release, according to one official. The situation remains under review, with further updates expected as the circumstances surrounding his detention and release are clarified.#united_arab_emirates #afghanistan #us_citizen #talia #dennis_coyle
