The decision came after the detainee’s family appealed to Afghanistan’s leadership, requesting his release ahead of Eid.

According to the foreign ministry, the country’s Supreme Court reviewed the case and decided that the time already spent in detention was sufficient.

The released man has been identified as Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old linguist and researcher.

He was arrested by Afghan authorities in January 2025 while working in the country. Officials said the decision to release him followed a high-level meeting in Kabul.

The meeting included Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the UAE ambassador Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, and a member of Coyle’s family.

Authorities confirmed that the United Arab Emirates helped facilitate the release.

Coyle was reunited with his family in Kabul soon after the decision was announced. According to his family, he had been working legally in Afghanistan as an academic researcher.

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They said he was helping local communities by studying languages and supporting cultural development.

However, his family also claimed that he was held in difficult conditions. They said he spent much of his time in near isolation and had limited access to medical care.

Coyle first travelled to Afghanistan in the early 2000s and built close ties with local communities.

His family described him as someone who deeply respected Afghan culture and people.

The release comes at a time when tensions remain between the United States and Afghanistan over detention issues. Earlier, the US had placed Afghanistan on a list of countries accused of wrongful detentions.

Afghan authorities rejected the claim but pointed to ongoing dialogue and past releases of foreign nationals. Officials said several American citizens were released in 2025 as a goodwill gesture.