American held captive by Taliban for years released in prisoner swap

Mark Frerichs, an American held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for more than two years, was released in a prisoner swap, the Biden administration confirmed on Monday. 

"Bringing Mark home has been a top priority for President Biden and his national security team," said a senior Biden administration official on Monday. 

Frerichs, a 60-year-old Navy veteran from Illinois, was kidnapped in January 2020 while doing construction work in Afghanistan. Officials believe he was held captive by the Haqqani network, a fraction of the Taliban.

After months of negotiations with the Taliban, the two parties reached a deal. As part of the prisoner swap, the U.S. released Haji Bashir Noorzai, a prominent member of the Taliban who was imprisoned in 2005 on drug trafficking charges for 17 years. 

"Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark’s freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly," President Joe Biden said in a statement. 

A Taliban spokesperson said the swap was secured through a constructive “dialogue” with U.S. authorities. 

"Through dialogue, understanding, and interaction, the freedom of Haji Bashar and the release of an American citizen showed that good interaction and goodwill is the most effective way to solve cases," spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, tweeted. "There can be no progress in relations with Afghans through force and pressure, but on the contrary understanding can do anything."

Frerichs walked on his own onto the U.S. aircraft after the deal, authorities reported, adding that his mental and physical condition appears to be stable. He was taken to Doha, Qatar. It is not immediately clear when he will be taken back to the U.S.

Frerichs’ family praised Biden for securing his release. "There were some folks arguing against the deal that brought Mark home, but President Biden did what was right. He saved the life of an innocent American veteran," said his sister, Charlene Cakora. 

"I am so happy to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home to us. Our family has prayed for this each day of the more than 31 months he has been a hostage," Cakora said. "We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Frerich’s release, adding that the U.S. is working to free the other Americans who are “arbitrarily and unjustly” detained abroad. 

"Mark's soon going to be reunited with his family," said Blinken before a Freedom of Expression Roundtable at the UN in New York. "The President had an opportunity to speak to them a few hours ago."

"I want the families of Americans who are being arbitrarily detained or held hostage anywhere in the world to know that our commitment to them to bringing their loved ones home is resolute and we will relentlessly continue to focus on doing just that," Blinken added.