Taliban Releases American Scholar Dennis Coyle, Imprisoned Without Justification for More Than a Year

Release of American Citizen by Taliban

On Tuesday, the Taliban in Afghanistan released Dennis Coyle, an American national, after he had been in captivity for 14 months. He arrived in San Antonio, Texas, the following morning.

The 64-year-old Coyle is an academic from Colorado who has spent over two decades conducting language research in Afghanistan. He had initially left the country after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 but returned about 18 months later, believing the Taliban would support his work.

Coyle was detained without charge in January 2025 by the Taliban’s Intelligence Directorate while in Kabul, just six days after they released another American, Ryan Corbett. For the next 14 months, Coyle was held in what his family described as “almost solitary conditions.” Reports indicate he did not receive proper medical care and was allowed to speak with his family only under supervision. U.S. officials were vague about the reasons for his detention, only mentioning violations of Afghan law.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry stated that Coyle’s release was a gesture of humanitarian concern and goodwill, suggesting it could improve relations between the two nations. The release was reportedly ordered by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada after Coyle’s mother appealed for clemency during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

The ministry noted that “the competent authorities of the Supreme Court have determined that his previous imprisonment is sufficient,” and he was consequently handed over to his family in Kabul. They expressed hope for continued dialogue and understanding between Afghanistan and the U.S.

Former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad visited Kabul to help facilitate Coyle’s release and deemed it a “very positive development.” The Coyle family expressed gratitude towards officials, including former President Donald Trump, for their efforts to bring Dennis back home.

In a statement, the family reflected on the past 421 days, saying, “Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise for the God who sustained Dennis.” They also thanked those who supported their advocacy efforts during a challenging period.

Upon returning to the States, Coyle shared some insights on his experience, noting that not all Afghans are to be seen as “evil.” He recognized that many are simply trying to survive and seek hope. While he felt joy at being back in his hometown, he also admitted a sense of sadness, as significant portions of his life had been spent in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted that Coyle’s release is part of a broader context where over 100 Americans have been freed in recent months. He thanked the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for their roles in Coyle’s release while emphasizing that more needs to be done to secure the return of other unjustly detained Americans.

Among those still held is Mahmood Shah Habibi, a dual U.S.-Afghan citizen, and Paul Overby, an American writer who vanished while conducting research in Afghanistan in 2014. Rubio noted the continued dangers Americans face in Afghanistan, as the Taliban has been labeled a state sponsor of wrongful detention.