W
ASHINGTON — In a significant act of goodwill, Kuwait has declared the release of several American detainees, including military veterans and contractors who had been incarcerated for lengthy periods due to drug-related charges. This announcement was confirmed by a representative for the detainees in a statement provided to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
This release comes on the heels of a recent diplomatic visit by Adam Boehler, the chief hostage envoy during the Trump administration, and aligns with the ongoing efforts of the U.S. government to secure the return of American citizens detained abroad.
Six of the released individuals traveled from Kuwait to New York on a flight accompanied by Jonathan Franks, a private consultant specializing in American hostage and detainee cases. Franks had been in Kuwait to aid in negotiating their release.
“My clients and their families are grateful to the Kuwaiti government for this compassionate act,” Franks stated in his remarks.
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He further mentioned that his clients maintain their innocence and indicated that additional Americans he represents might also be released by Kuwait soon.
The U.S. State Department has not yet provided responses to inquiries about this situation, and the specific identities of the released detainees remain undisclosed.
Kuwait, a small yet affluent nation bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia and situated near Iran, is recognized as a key non-NATO ally of the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently reaffirmed this alliance, asserting that the U.S. “continues to be steadfast in its support for Kuwait’s sovereignty and the well-being of its citizens.”
The military collaboration between the two nations has been robust since the U.S.-led Gulf War in 1991, which sought to expel Iraqi forces following Saddam Hussein’s invasion. Presently, around 13,500 American troops are stationed in Kuwait at Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base.
However, Kuwait has also been known to detain numerous American military contractors on drug-related charges, with some enduring years of imprisonment. Families of these detainees have raised concerns regarding alleged mistreatment in a country with strict drug laws and prohibitions against alcohol.
Critics have expressed worries about the alleged practices of Kuwaiti law enforcement in fabricating charges and evidence against detainees—a claim that the authoritarian government has never publicly acknowledged.
The State Department warns travelers that drug offenses in Kuwait could lead to lengthy prison sentences or even capital punishment. While defense cooperation agreements between the U.S. and Kuwait likely ensure that American service members are subject to U.S. laws, this may not apply to contractors.
Since President Donald Trump assumed office, his administration has successfully negotiated the release of American teacher Marc Fogel in a prisoner exchange with Russia and has announced the release of another U.S. citizen imprisoned in Belarus.
The individuals released on Wednesday were not classified by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained. This designation is typically reserved for a specific group of Americans imprisoned overseas and usually ensures that their cases are managed by the administration’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs—the office responsible for overseeing negotiations for their release.
Nonetheless, advocates for detainees abroad are hopeful that the Trump administration will adopt a more accommodating approach, leading to the release of individuals not designated as wrongfully detained.
“The unfortunate truth is that these Americans spent years in prison due to a misguided policy that, prior to President Trump’s administration, effectively overlooked Americans abroad who were not classified as wrongfully detained,” Franks commented.
“These releases,” he added, “demonstrate what can be achieved when the U.S. government prioritizes the safe return of its citizens.”
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
