Summary
Afghanistan released American citizen Dennis Coyle after over a year of being detained. His release occurred as a gesture of goodwill for the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr, following pleas from his family and efforts by US and UAE officials.
Key Facts
- Dennis Coyle, a US citizen, was detained in Afghanistan for over a year.
- Coyle was released after his family requested his freedom as a pardon for Eid al-Fitr.
- Afghanistan's Supreme Court said his detainment period was enough.
- Afghan and UAE officials mediated Coyle's release on humanitarian grounds.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked UAE and Qatar for aiding his release.
- Rubio labeled Afghanistan's Taliban as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.”
- Coyle's detainment was reportedly due to violations of Afghan laws.
- Last year, Afghanistan released five other US citizens as a goodwill gesture.
