Anna Corbett, the wife of an American man detained in Afghanistan by the Taliban, is deeply concerned about her husband’s well-being and is pleading for the opportunity to speak to President Joe Biden about the urgency of his case. Ryan Corbett has been held by the Taliban since August 2022, and during a recent call to his family, he expressed a loss of hope and a decline in both his physical and mental health. Anna Corbett has met with officials from various government agencies but hopes to speak directly with President Biden to stress the seriousness of the situation.
Ryan and Anna Corbett, along with their three children, had been living in Afghanistan for over a decade, working for a non-governmental organization. They were evacuated in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover of the country but Ryan returned twice in 2022 and was subsequently detained by the Taliban on his second trip. Despite no formal charges being brought against him, Ryan has been held in custody for almost 600 days. The family is desperate for his release, citing his declining health as a major concern.
The US State Department has declared Ryan Corbett’s detention as wrongful, and Anna Corbett is advocating for the US government to apply more pressure on the Taliban to release her husband. While it is emphasized that loved ones of detainees do not need to meet with the president for progress to be made in their cases, Anna believes that a direct meeting with President Biden could accelerate efforts to bring Ryan home. The priority of bringing home Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad is stressed by US officials, who are working diligently on the case.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed empathy for the Corbett family, acknowledging the challenges and hardship they are facing. He assured that the government is actively engaged in efforts to secure Ryan Corbett’s release, including pressing the Taliban in meetings for his immediate and unconditional release. The detentions of Americans in Afghanistan are seen as a significant obstacle to positive engagement, and efforts are being made to utilize all available resources to bring Ryan and other wrongfully detained individuals back home.
The ongoing ordeal faced by the Corbett family has drawn attention to the plight of Americans wrongfully detained overseas and the challenges they face. Anna Corbett’s determination to seek the intervention of President Biden illustrates the depth of her concern for her husband and the impact his prolonged detention has had on their family. As the US government continues to advocate for his release, the Corbett family remains hopeful for a positive resolution to the situation and the safe return of Ryan.
