Taliban launch American engineer Frerichs in prisoner swap | World News

Afghanistan's Taliban freed on Monday American engineer Mark Frerichs in alternate for an Afghan tribal chief linked to the Taliban who america had held on medication fees since 2005, the group's performing overseas minister stated.

Frerichs was exchanged on the airport within the capital, Kabul, with Bashir Noorzai, performing overseas minister Amir Khan Muttaqi informed a information convention within the metropolis.

Noorzai was detained by america on suspicion of smuggling greater than $50 million value of heroin into america and Europe.

Additionally learn: Taliban to ban TikTok, Pubg inside subsequent 3 months: Report

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is able to clear up issues by negotiation with all together with america," Muttaqi stated, referring to the Taliban.

Frerichs is an engineer and U.S. Navy veteran from Lombard, Illinois, who labored in Afghanistan for a decade on improvement tasks. He was kidnapped in February 2020.

America has no official illustration in Afghanistan and U.S. authorities officers elsewhere weren't instantly out there for remark.

America has been pushing for the discharge of Frerichs, together with after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, as U.S.-led overseas forces had been withdrawing.

U.S. officers have stated his case would affect their view on the legitimacy of a Taliban-led authorities. No overseas authorities has formally recognised the Taliban, partially because of the group's restriction of most ladies from training.

Additionally learn: Afghanistan sees sharp rise in deaths as Taliban wrestle to tackle ISIS, NRF

Noorzai briefly addressed the information convention at a Kabul lodge, alongside Muttaqi and the Taliban's performing deputy prime ministers.

"I'm proud to be within the capital of my nation amongst my brothers," he stated.

The tribal chief had longstanding ties to the Taliban.

Noorzai's lawyer had denied his shopper was a drug seller and argued the costs must be dismissed as a result of U.S. authorities officers duped him into believing he wouldn't be arrested.