Dennis Coyle released, Washington maintains criticism

The Afghan Taliban on Tuesday released US citizen Dennis Coyle after more than a year in detention. However, Washington emphasised that the move does not remove Kabul’s recent designation as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention” and called on the Taliban to take further action.

According to a statement from the Taliban foreign ministry, Afghan authorities received a letter from Coyle’s mother requesting his pardon and release in observance of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr. The Supreme Court of Afghanistan determined that the period of Coyle’s detention had been sufficient and approved his release.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government censured Afghanistan over its detention of American citizens. U.S. officials warned that continued noncompliance could lead to restrictions on travel for U.S. passport holders—a measure currently applied only to North Korea.

The U.S. State Department’s hostage affairs office noted that Coyle’s release does not change the March 9 designation against the Taliban government.

“While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans. The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.”

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi defended the government’s actions, stating that Afghanistan does not detain foreign citizens for political reasons but only for violations of its laws. He added that releases follow the completion of judicial procedures.

A senior U.S. official said Coyle, 64, had been taken from his home in Kabul in January 2025 and held without charges in near-solitary confinement. His release was the result of direct efforts led by Rubio and a coordinated interagency approach, supported by advocacy from Coyle’s three sisters.

Rubio also expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for their assistance and advocacy on behalf of U.S. citizens unjustly detained in Afghanistan.