Wife of American detained in Afghanistan heads to Mar-a-Lago to beg Trump to take up prisoner swap

Anna Corbett, a devoted wife, has taken matters into her own hands by flying to Mar-a-Lago in Florida to plead with President-elect Trump to intervene in the wrongful detainment of her husband, Ryan Corbett, in Afghanistan for the past 2½ years. Despite numerous attempts to secure a meeting with the Biden administration, Anna has faced roadblocks at every turn.

The glimmer of hope that Anna held onto was shattered when reports surfaced that negotiations between the Biden administration and the Taliban for a prisoner swap involving three U.S. citizens, including Ryan Corbett, had stalled. A senior Taliban official even went as far as to express a preference for waiting to negotiate with the incoming Trump administration, leaving the Corbett family in despair.

Desperate and determined, Anna embarked on a last-minute journey to Mar-a-Lago, unsure of what the outcome would be. The Trump team had not yet scheduled a meeting, but Anna remained hopeful that her plea would not fall on deaf ears.

In a recent statement, Trump mentioned that he would consider a prisoner swap but seemed hesitant about the deal on the table. The negotiations involved exchanging suspected senior al Qaeda aide Muhammad Rahim al Afghani for the detained U.S. citizens, including Ryan Corbett. Some Republicans in Congress raised national security concerns and questioned the potential repercussions of returning Rahim to the Taliban.

Anna Corbett passionately advocated for her husband, emphasizing his innocence and patriotism. She stressed the urgent need for Ryan to return home and reunite with his family, who have endured immense hardship during his absence. Despite the State Department declaring Ryan and another American detainee as wrongfully held, the Taliban denies holding the third detainee.

During a brief Christmas Day call with Ryan, Anna described the emotional toll of the situation, with little progress to report. Ryan shared his struggles with malnourishment, blackouts, and fainting while being held in dismal conditions. Although he has gained some weight since then, he continues to suffer from constant headaches and ringing in his ears.

Ryan, who was abducted in August 2022 while in Afghanistan for a business venture, remains detained as the U.S. grapples with the delicate negotiations surrounding his release. Despite the challenges, the U.S. remains a key financial supporter of Afghanistan, offering substantial aid since the 2021 withdrawal.

The Taliban’s insistence on Rahim’s release, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner linked to bin Laden, adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations. Biden’s commitment to closing the Guantanamo Bay prison further complicates the situation, as evidenced by the recent transfer of Yemeni detainees to Oman.

As Anna continues to fight for her husband’s freedom, she remains hopeful that her efforts will not be in vain. The journey to Mar-a-Lago symbolizes her unwavering determination to bring Ryan home and reunite their family. The road ahead may be challenging, but Anna’s resolve remains unshakeable.