The Afghan Taliban have released an American citizen, Dennis Walter Coyle, who had been detained in Afghanistan for nearly a year without formal charges. According to U.S. media reports Coyle aged 64, was taken into custody under unclear circumstances and remained imprisoned despite having a long history of working in the country.

Reports indicate that Coyle had spent approximately two decades in Afghanistan, contributing to various projects, though the exact nature of his work has not been fully disclosed. His prolonged detention had raised concerns among his family members who recently appealed for his release on humanitarian grounds ahead of the Eid holiday.

The decision to free Coyle was reportedly ordered by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada as part of a gesture linked to Eid clemency. Sources suggest that diplomatic efforts also played a role in securing his release with the United Arab Emirates reportedly facilitating communication and negotiations behind the scenes.

While the circumstances of his detention remain unclear, his release has been welcomed by his family and is being seen as a positive development in ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic engagements with Afghanistan.