In a bold move of desperation, an Atlanta family plans to negotiate directly with the Taliban for the release of George Glezmann, who has been wrongfully detained in Afghanistan since December 2022.
The New York Post reported that Glezmann, a 65-year-old Atlanta resident, was abducted by the Taliban during a sightseeing trip in Afghanistan in December 2022. His family, led by his committed wife Aleksandra, has struggled with the response from the U.S. government, thereby spearheading their efforts for his safe return.
Initially, the U.S. response involved routine procedures with little information shared with the Glezmanns.
By October 2023, the U.S. State Department elevated his status to "wrongfully detained," a designation that secures additional government resources for his case.
However, Aleksandra and her family felt sidelined during the process, receiving scant updates from officials.
Frustrated with what they perceived as governmental inaction, the Glezmanns decided to take matters into their own hands.
George Taylor, a family representative, expressed these frustrations in an email to top U.S. officials, including White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Roger Carstens, the State Department’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
Their decision to approach the Taliban directly was met with caution from U.S. authorities, who advised that these actions might contravene ongoing negotiations.
Despite the warnings, Taylor disclosed plans to meet with the Taliban in Doha, to expedite George's release.
Aleksandra emphasized the urgency of their situation in a heartfelt letter to President Biden. She highlighted the lack of attention her husband's case received, possibly due to their lack of notoriety and wealth. "We are not wealthy or famous people," she stated, expressing a poignant plea for governmental intervention.
Criticism of the government's use of classified information emerged as a significant grievance from the Glezmann family.
Taylor accused the administration of using classification as a veil for incompetence, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with the transparency of the hostage rescue process.
Meetings are ongoing; Aleksandra is scheduled to meet with Sullivan on September 11 to discuss her husband’s deteriorating health conditions. The benign tumor aggravating his breathing and vision adds a layer of complexity and urgency to an already dire situation.
The National Security Council, via spokesman Sean Savett, has reiterated the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to all American detainees globally. Yet, this assurance contrasts starkly with the specific frustrations aired by the Glezmanns.
Public attention to the case grew as the family's proactive measures spotlighted potential lapses in the U.S.'s approach to securing the release of non-celebrity hostages. Political critics argue that high-profile cases receive disproportionately more effort from the government, an accusation fueled by high-visibility negotiations in past administrations.