March 24 (UPI) -- American Dennis Coyle, who has been held captive in Afghanistan for a year, was released Tuesday after his family pleaded with the Taliban to release him for Eid al-Fitr.
The Afghanistan foreign ministry said that after the letter, Coyle "would be pardoned and released" for Eid, the holiday at the end of Ramadan.
Coyle, 64, is a linguist from Pueblo, Colo. He has lived in Afghanistan for more than 20 years studying languages and working with Afghanis. He was taken by force from his Kabul apartment. No charges were ever filed.
"We thank the United Arab Emirates for its support in securing Dennis' release. We also appreciate Qatar's continued support and advocacy for Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the statement. "While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done. We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby and all other unjustly detained Americans. The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy."
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