Wife of American detained by Taliban tells Congress: ‘He’s been told he’s been forgotten’
The Wife of American Detained by Taliban Shares Heartbreaking Testimony
The wife of Ryan Corbett, an American who has been held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for over a year, bravely recounted the harrowing details of her husband’s ordeal to members of Congress on Tuesday.
Anna Corbett described the “living nightmare for our family” that has persisted for 15 long months since Ryan’s detention in August 2022. Despite suffering in silence, Anna’s deep concern for her husband’s life compelled her to speak out before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“We recently learned that Ryan has been fainting and experiencing seizures. He is often threatened with physical harm. He is told by his captors that he is forgotten and that his country doesn’t care about him. And why wouldn’t he believe it when other Westerners have come and gone so much faster than he? The impact on his mental health is unspeakable,”
The Corbetts had been living in Afghanistan since 2010, dedicating themselves to humanitarian projects in Kabul. Ryan Corbett even established a business consulting and microfinance company in 2017. When the Taliban seized control in August 2021, they evacuated the country along with U.S. troops. However, Ryan returned in January 2022 without any issues, only to be detained in August of the same year alongside a European colleague and two local partners. While the others were eventually released, Ryan remained in captivity.
“What little we do know about Ryan has come from other Western citizens who have been released. Ryan is being held in a 3-by-3-meter [9-by-9-foot] basement cell with other Western detainees. He eats little, other than scraps of greasy goat and fat. He is held in solitary confinement for weeks at a time,” she added. “My husband was trying to do a good thing for the people of Afghanistan. Now he is suffering and so are we. We know that the U.S. and Afghanistan cannot move forward while American citizens are being wrongfully detained for political ends. I promise you that my family will not stop advocating for Ryan until he is released.”
Taliban officials have expressed a desire to secure the release of Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, who has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2008. However, a senior U.S. official dismissed this request as unrealistic, stating that it is not a genuine demand.
In September 2022, the U.S. and the Taliban reached a prisoner exchange agreement, resulting in the release of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs in exchange for Afghan leader Bashir Noorzai, who had been imprisoned in the U.S. for alleged drug smuggling.
What are the rights and protections normally afforded to prisoners of war, and why is it concerning that Ryan is not receiving them?
S a prisoner of war and will be treated as such, with no rights or protections,” Anna shared tearfully. “I can’t even begin to describe the anguish and helplessness I feel knowing that my husband is enduring unimaginable pain and suffering every day.”
Ryan Corbett, a dedicated humanitarian worker, was working in Afghanistan when he was taken hostage by the Taliban. The circumstances surrounding his capture remain unclear, but what is certain is the agonizing toll it has taken on his family.
Anna spoke passionately about her husband’s commitment to helping others. “Ryan has always been driven by his compassion for those in need. He has dedicated his life to supporting communities in crisis and providing aid to the most vulnerable,” she stated. “It breaks my heart knowing that he is now in a situation where he himself needs help, and yet he is being held captive with no hope of rescue.”
The Corbett family has tirelessly worked to bring attention to Ryan’s case and seek the assistance of the US government in securing his release. However, progress has been slow and disheartening. “We have reached out to countless officials, written letters, held vigils, and rallied support from the community, but the response has been inadequate,” Anna expressed with frustration. “Time is running out, and we fear for Ryan’s life.”
Their plea for action is not only fueled by love and desperation but also by the knowledge that time is of the essence. The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the uncertain political landscape make the chances of a peaceful resolution even slimmer. Every passing day increases the risks faced by Ryan and his fellow captives.
Anna used her testimony to appeal to the moral compass of the government and its representatives. “We implore you, as elected officials, to do everything in your power to secure Ryan’s release and the release of all American hostages,” she pleaded. “We cannot bear the thought of another day, another hour, let alone another year, without Ryan by our side.”
The wife of an American detained by the Taliban has given a truly heartbreaking account of the anguish and suffering endured by her husband and their family. Her courageous testimony before Congress serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflicts and the responsibility of governments to protect their citizens. As the Corbett family waits anxiously for their loved one’s return, the world watches and hopes that justice and freedom prevail.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
