George Glezmann, an American who was held hostage by the Taliban for over 800 days, arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday and was greeted with a “champion’s welcome.”

“I feel like I have been given a new life,” Glezmann said. “I am overwhelmed with emotion.”

He expressed his gratitude towards President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and others. 

Glezmann stated he was “A free American individual…abducted because of my U.S. passport.”

Glezmann further added, “I cannot adequately express how thankful I am for my freedom.”

His wife, Aleksandra, arrived shortly after his plane landed, and the couple shared an emotional embrace, their first since his capture in Kabul on Dec. 5, 2022. 

, who was previously released in January after being held captive by the Taliban for nearly 900 days, was present to welcome Glezmann.

Glezmann and Corbett were both held in Afghanistan during their captivity.

Digital first reported Glezmann’s release on Thursday, after his departure from Kabul International Airport en route to Doha, Qatar.

His release was facilitated by U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Qatari officials, who directly negotiated with the Taliban in Afghanistan.  

Boehler met with Glezmann in Kabul before accompanying him on the flight to the Maryland base near Washington. 

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