The US State Department has reported that three of its citizens are currently imprisoned in Afghanistan.
According to the Washington Examiner, a spokesperson for the department identified the American citizens as George Glezmann, Mahmood Habibi and Ryan Corbett, who are detained by the Islamic Emirate.
Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, said: "When these individuals come to Afghanistan, it must be clarified whether they are coming for espionage, tourism, or to visit cultural sites. If their purpose is tourism, they should not be imprisoned according to the law; however, if their intentions are malicious and they come for espionage, they should be detained and punished according to the law."
However, the Islamic Emirate states that two American citizens are detained due to legal violations.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, added that discussions have been held with American representatives regarding this issue.
Fitrat said: "Currently, two American citizens are imprisoned in Afghanistan. They violated the country's laws, which led to their arrest, and our representatives have discussed this matter with the American side."
Samiullah Ahmadzai, another political analyst, stated: "If these prisoners are exchanged and they agree, it would lead to progress in diplomatic relations."
Previously, a US State Department spokesperson had said in a press briefing that the detention of American citizens in Afghanistan is a significant obstacle to positive engagement with the Islamic Emirate.
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