W
ASHINGTON — In a significant act of goodwill, Kuwait has announced the release of several American detainees, including military veterans and contractors who have been imprisoned for lengthy periods on drug-related charges. This announcement was made by a representative for the detainees in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
This release comes in the wake of a recent diplomatic visit to the region by Adam Boehler, who served as the top hostage envoy during the Trump administration. It aligns with ongoing efforts by the U.S. government aimed at securing 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 focused on cases involving American hostages and detainees. Franks had been in Kuwait to facilitate negotiations for their release.
“My clients and their families express their gratitude to the Kuwaiti government for this generous act of compassion,” Franks stated in a release.
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He further noted that his clients maintain their innocence and mentioned that additional Americans he represents are also expected to be released by Kuwait soon.
The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this situation, and the identities of the released individuals have not been revealed at this point.
Kuwait, a small yet affluent nation bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and located near Iran, is recognized as a significant non-NATO ally of the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently reaffirmed this alliance, stating that the U.S. “remains steadfast in its support for Kuwait’s sovereignty and the well-being of its citizens.”
The military partnership between the two nations has remained robust since the U.S.-led Gulf War in 1991, which aimed to expel Iraqi forces following Saddam Hussein’s invasion. Currently, approximately 13,500 American troops are stationed in Kuwait at Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base.
However, Kuwait has been known to detain many American military contractors on drug-related charges, with some facing years of imprisonment. Families of these detainees have reported instances of mistreatment in a country with strict drug laws and alcohol prohibitions.
Critics have raised concerns about the alleged practices of Kuwaiti law enforcement fabricating charges and evidence against detainees, claims that the authoritarian regime has never publicly acknowledged.
The State Department warns travelers that drug offenses in Kuwait can lead to lengthy prison sentences or even the death penalty. While defense cooperation agreements between the U.S. and Kuwait likely ensure that U.S. troops are subject to American laws, this may not apply to contractors.
Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has successfully facilitated 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 had not been classified by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained. This designation typically applies to 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.
Nevertheless, advocates for those detained abroad remain hopeful that the Trump administration will adopt a more flexible approach, leading to the release of individuals not classified as wrongfully detained.
“The unfortunate truth is that these Americans have languished in prison for years due to a misguided policy that, prior to President Trump’s administration, effectively overlooked Americans abroad who were not designated as wrongfully detained,” Franks remarked in a statement.
“These releases,” he added, “demonstrate what can be achieved when the U.S. government places a priority on the safe return of its citizens.”
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
