Wife’s Desperate Plea for Husband’s Release from Taliban Detainment
EXCLUSIVE: In a heart-wrenching saga unfolding in the realm of international diplomacy, Anna Corbett has embarked on a quest to bring her husband, Ryan Corbett, home from a wrongful detention that has stretched over two and a half years in Afghanistan. Her desperate plea has led her to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where she seeks a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump to advocate for her husband’s release.
The Capture of Ryan Corbett
Ryan Corbett was captured by the Taliban in August 2022, coinciding with the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Since his capture, Anna Corbett has been tirelessly working to secure his freedom, yearning for a meeting with the Biden administration that has yet to materialize.
This week brought a flicker of hope to Anna’s ongoing struggle when news emerged that the Biden administration was allegedly negotiating a prisoner swap involving three U.S. citizens held in Afghanistan. This deal aimed to exchange them for Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, a Guantanamo Bay inmate previously associated with Usama bin Laden.
Stalled Negotiations
However, that hope was soon dashed as a senior official from the Taliban expressed preference to wait for negotiations with the incoming Trump administration. This revelation has once again placed the Corbett family’s hopes in limbo.
Commenting on her arduous journey, Anna told Fox News Digital during a layover on her journey to Mar-a-Lago, “I am absolutely desperate to fight for my family.” The uncertainty surrounding her last-ditch attempt to engage with Trump’s team has left her anxious, as no meeting has been established as of yet.
Reflecting on her long and challenging efforts, she remarked, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if I got a meeting in one day, when, for 883 days, I tried to get a meeting with President Biden, and he didn’t have the time?”
Trump’s Response
Amidst this tumult, Trump addressed the issue, stating that he would consider the proposed prisoner swap but remained skeptical. “I haven’t looked at it,” he said on Thursday. “I have not been in favor of the trade, but I’ll be taking a look tomorrow. We’ll announce something tomorrow.”
Negotiations, ongoing since at least July 2024, involve the potential exchange of Muhammad Rahim al Afghani for Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmoud Habibi, the latter named by the Taliban as being unheld.
Concerns and Family’s Plea
There are growing concerns among some Republicans in Congress regarding national security implications tied to returning Rahim to the Taliban, sparking debates about the validity of the negotiations.
In an emotional appeal, Anna emphasized her husband’s character, “Ryan is an amazing person, and he has done nothing wrong, and our family desperately needs him. He’s a patriot. He was just trying to help the Afghan people.” She urged that the president must make a decision, advocating fervently for Ryan’s urgent return.
Both Ryan Corbett and George Glezmann have been officially declared mistaken detainees by the State Department, while the Taliban denies any involvement with Mahmoud Habibi.
A Family in Turmoil
During a brief telephone call on Christmas Day, Anna spoke with Ryan for about 15 minutes. Despite his determined facade, the weight of their situation was evident. “He was obviously trying hard to be in good spirits for Christmas for the kids and me,” she recounted. “But it was a difficult call, obviously, because this has been going on so long. He asked me where things were at, if there was progress. And there really was nothing that I could share with him.”
In 2024, released American detainees revealed alarming details regarding Ryan’s condition, noting he was severely malnourished and endured frequent blackouts while held in a dark basement cell with minimal sunlight or exercise. Although Anna mentioned that he has gained some weight since then, he continues to suffer from recurring headaches and tinnitus.
Background of Ryan Corbett’s Work and Detainment
Ryan Corbett’s journey to Afghanistan began with a valid 12-month visa that allowed him to contribute to a business initiative aimed at enhancing the Afghan private sector through consulting services and lending. This venture aimed to empower local communities during a tumultuous period following the collapse of the U.S.-backed government.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the U.S. remains the principal financial supporter of Afghanistan, having allocated around billion since its withdrawal in 2021.
The Taliban has long been advocating for the release of Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, who has been detained at Guantanamo Bay since 2008, due to suspicions surrounding his close ties to Usama bin Laden.
U.S. Actions and Ongoing Negotiations
In November 2023, the prison review board at Guantanamo highlighted Rahim’s connections to senior al Qaeda operatives and highlighted his involvement in attacks against U.S. and allied forces as justifications for his continued detention.
The Biden administration has made efforts to shrink the prisoner population at Guantanamo, recently facilitating the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman, including two former bodyguards of bin Laden.
This evolving narrative of Anna Corbett’s quest for her husband’s freedom underscores the complex interplay between personal desperation and the intricate web of international relations underpinned by national security concerns.
Contributions from Fox News’ Greg Norman and The Associated Press have been included in this report.
