Atta Noor: Taliban Freed U.S. Detainee Out of Fear

A senior Afghan political figure, Atta Mohammad Noor, has criticized the Taliban following the release of an American detainee, claiming the move reflects fear of the United States rather than a shift in policy.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Noor said the Taliban released the U.S. citizen due to pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that international threats forced the group into compliance. He remarked that while foreign detainees may secure release under pressure, “thousands of innocent people” remain imprisoned across Afghanistan.

The Taliban recently freed American national Dennis Coyle after more than a year in detention, a move that came amid mounting diplomatic pressure from Washington and its designation of Afghanistan as a state accused of wrongful detention practices.

According to Taliban officials, the release followed a request from the detainee’s family and a judicial decision deeming his detention period sufficient.

Noor, however, portrayed the development as a sign of weakness, stating that the Taliban had retreated under U.S. threats. Previously, U.S. officials warned that failure to release detained Americans could result in consequences similar to those imposed on countries like Iran and Venezuela.

The Afghan leader further accused the Taliban of detaining and mistreating thousands of individuals over the past several years. He alleged that many arrests were based on ethnic, linguistic, or political differences, with detainees including journalists, activists, and opposition supporters.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about detention conditions in Afghanistan, noting that many prisoners lack access to legal representation and face unfair trial processes. Reports also suggest that some detainees have been subjected to coercion and forced confessions.

Among those previously detained was journalist Mehdi Ansari, who, according to media watchdogs, was allegedly forced to confess under pressure while in Taliban custody. He was released after completing his sentence in late March.

Despite the release of the American detainee, international scrutiny remains high, with U.S. officials continuing to call for the freedom of other foreign nationals still believed to be held in Afghanistan.