Arizona native Dennis Coyle released after more than a year in Taliban custody

PHOENIX — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities released American academic Dennis Coyle on Tuesday after holding him for more than a year, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.

The ministry said Coyle was freed in Kabul on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, following an appeal from his family. Afghanistan’s Supreme Court “considered his previous imprisonment sufficient,” the statement said.

Coyle was detained in January 2025 on allegations of violating laws, though Afghan authorities never specified which ones. The U.S. State Department had designated him as wrongfully detained.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly celebrated the Arizona native’s release.

“I know how relieved his loved ones must be,” Kelly said in a post on X.

So happy to finally see Arizona native Dennis Coyle released and on his way home to his family after more than a year of being wrongfully detained by the Taliban. I know how relieved his loved ones must be, and I appreciate everyone who played a role in securing his release. https://t.co/BxqOrkcvw7

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) March 24, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release and thanked the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for their mediation efforts.

Earlier this month, I met Molly, Amy, and Patti as they asked for help freeing their brother Dennis Coyle from detention in Afghanistan. Today, Dennis is on his way home. We thank the UAE and Qatar for their support. The release is a positive step towards ending the practice of…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 24, 2026

Earlier this month, the U.S. designated Afghanistan as a sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing it of “hostage diplomacy.” The Taliban rejected those allegations, with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi saying Coyle was released “after going through the judicial process.”

The Coyle family still lives in the Phoenix area

Coyle, 64, lived in Colorado before working nearly two decades as an academic in Afghanistan.

He still has family ties to Arizona, where two of his sisters and his 83-year-old mother live in the Phoenix area, according to The Arizona Republic. Coyle’s grandparents reportedly ran Mary Coyle’s ice cream parlor in Phoenix for decades.

In a website advocating for Coyle’s release, his family thanked the Trump administration for securing his release.

“Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Dennis’ life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 421 days of our lives,” said the family in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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