Taliban frees US detainee amid Trump admin’s pressure

The Taliban regime released an American prisoner on Tuesday, less than two weeks after the Trump administration designated the country as a sponsor of wrongful detention.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention” in early March, calling for the release of Dennis Coyle and “all Americans unjustly detained.” The regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the release of Coyle, whom they called “Dennis Quail,” in an X post.

Screenshot of a translated Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Afghanistan post on X

Coyle, 64, was arrested in January 2025 for “violating the enforced laws of Afghanistan,” according to the post. The Colorado native spent almost 20 years working legally in the country, “maintaining positive relationships with government ministries,” according to his family.

The State Department did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Rubio wrote in an X post on Tuesday that he met with Coyle’s family in March 2026, who asked the secretary for help securing his release. In a statement published after the Taliban’s announcement, Rubio celebrated Coyle’s release.

“Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office,” the statement said.

The secretary also called the move “a positive step” by the regime but added that “more work needs to be done,” reiterating his previous call for “all other unjustly detained Americans” to be released.

“We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” the statement said. “The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.”

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