The family of Ryan Corbett, an American humanitarian imprisoned by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers since August 2022, expressed concern over his declining mental and physical health after a disturbing phone call from him. Ryan’s wife, Anna, and their three children received a 12-minute call where Ryan exhibited a significantly deteriorated mental state and expressed beliefs that he was forgotten by his country. The family, living in New York, has had limited contact with Ryan since his detention, with only five short phone calls totaling 44 minutes.
Taliban intelligence officials accused Ryan of anti-state activities, a common accusation against Westerners, but the U.S. State Department has deemed his detention as wrongful, indicating baseless charges. Anna expressed fear for Ryan’s well-being, citing reports of seizures, fainting, discolored extremities, and deep despair during his isolation. She urged President Biden to take action to bring Ryan home, highlighting the potential disastrous consequences of inaction.
Qatar, serving as the United States’ Protecting Power for Afghanistan, has sent officials to visit Ryan twice, in January 2023 and December, but concerns remain about his health and treatment by the Taliban. Anna revealed in an exclusive TV interview that Ryan was suffering from various health issues, including a constant ringing in his ears and deteriorating vision, exacerbated by his childhood lung injury. While a Taliban official claimed Ryan’s health was fine and he had access to amenities in his detention, these claims have not been independently verified.
The Taliban’s appointed envoy to the United Nations, Suhail Shaheen, denied mistreatment of detainees and torture, while a State Department spokesperson expressed concern for Americans detained in Afghanistan, including Ryan. U.S. officials have been pressing for the immediate release of Americans held in Afghanistan, considering their detention a significant obstacle to positive engagement with the Taliban. Due to privacy, safety, and operational reasons, the government refrains from publicly discussing specific cases like Ryan’s.
The Corbett family’s pleas for Ryan’s release highlight the challenges faced by Americans detained in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The uncertain conditions of his imprisonment, coupled with deteriorating health and limited communication, add to the family’s distress and fear for Ryan’s well-being. The ongoing efforts by U.S. officials and international partners to secure the release of detained Americans, like Ryan, reflect the complexities of navigating diplomatic relations with the Taliban and ensuring the safety and rights of individuals caught in such situations.
