The family of Ryan Corbett, an American humanitarian who has been imprisoned without charge by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers since August 2022, recently received a disturbing phone call from him indicating a decline in his mental and physical health. Ryan’s wife, Anna, and their three children have had very limited contact with him since his detainment, with only a total of 44 minutes of phone calls in the past several months. In the recent call, Ryan expressed feelings of being forgotten by his country and mentioned suffering from high fevers that went undiagnosed. The family is increasingly concerned about his well-being, especially as he has reported symptoms such as seizures, fainting, and discolored extremities.
Ryan Corbett, 40, was detained by the Taliban on accusations of anti-state activities, a common charge against Westerners. However, the U.S. State Department has labeled his detention as wrongful, indicating that the charges against him are baseless. His wife Anna expressed fear for Ryan’s safety, especially considering reports of his deteriorating health and isolation in captivity. Despite Qatar’s efforts as the Protecting Power for Afghanistan to visit Ryan twice in person, his condition continues to worsen. Anna has pleaded for action from the U.S. government, highlighting the potential disastrous consequences of not bringing Ryan home.
In an exclusive TV interview, Anna disclosed more details about Ryan’s health struggles during his imprisonment by the Taliban, including vision problems, a constant ringing in his ears, and a history of a collapsed lung that makes him more susceptible to pneumonia. Despite claims by a Taliban intelligence official that Ryan is being well taken care of in a guesthouse with access to amenities, there is concern about the accuracy of these statements. Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s appointed envoy to the United Nations, has denied allegations of mistreatment or torture of detainees. The U.S. State Department has reiterated its commitment to working for the release of Americans detained in Afghanistan, acknowledging the obstacles these detentions pose to positive engagement with the Taliban.
The lack of significant progress in securing Ryan Corbett’s release has heightened anxiety for his family, who fear for his safety and well-being in Taliban custody. Anna Corbett’s pleas for action from President Biden and the U.S. government reflect a sense of urgency to bring Ryan home before his health deteriorates further. The ongoing efforts by Qatar and the State Department to secure Ryan’s release underscore the complexities of diplomacy and negotiations with the Taliban regime. The family’s ordeal sheds light on the challenges faced by Americans detained in Afghanistan and the crucial need for diplomatic solutions to ensure their safe return. As the situation unfolds, the international community remains vigilant in advocating for the release of individuals like Ryan Corbett, who are caught in the midst of political conflict and power struggles.
