Attorneys for Ryan Corbett, an American detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, have filed urgent petitions with the United Nations seeking his release. The petitions include testimonies from former detainees describing Corbett’s deteriorating mental and physical state, as well as allegations of torture and mistreatment by the Taliban. The individuals who were jailed with Corbett have expressed concerns about his well-being, including fears that he could die soon due to medical problems, maltreatment, or self-harm.
The former detainees reported that Corbett had been threatened with violence by Taliban guards, forced to listen to the torture of other prisoners, and was severely malnourished. They also mentioned that Corbett suffered from blackouts, fainting episodes, and was held in a basement cell with minimal sunlight and exercise opportunities. Suhail Saheen, the head of the Taliban’s political office in Qatar, denied the claims of torture, stating that Corbett had access to medical care and communication with his family.
If the United Nations decides to investigate the petitions, they can issue non-binding legal opinions calling for Corbett’s release. Ryan’s attorney, Kate Gibson, described his current conditions as posing a significant threat to his life and emphasized the urgency of the situation. Ryan’s wife, Anna Corbett, expressed concern about her husband’s deteriorating situation and criticized the lack of response from the White House, including requests for meetings with President Biden and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The State Department stated that the United States is actively working for the release of Americans detained in Afghanistan but did not comment further on Ryan Corbett’s case. Anna Corbett has had limited communication with her husband over the past 20 months and described a disturbing phone call in which Ryan seemed to believe he had been forgotten by his country. She has been seeking support from government officials and raised awareness of Ryan’s case during the president’s State of the Union address.
In March, the Senate passed a resolution calling for Ryan Corbett’s release before his 41st birthday, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. Despite efforts to raise awareness of Ryan’s case and seek his release, his family continues to face challenges in receiving updates on his well-being and ensuring his safe return. The petitions filed with the United Nations are the latest effort to pressure the Taliban to release Ryan Corbett and address the humanitarian concerns surrounding his detention in Afghanistan.
