An American man kidnapped by the Taliban in early 2020 was seen alive for the first time since then on Friday in a hostage video.
Mark Frerichs, 59, asked for his release in the video, which was sent to The New Yorker by an unidentified Afghanistan source. He appeared to be reading off a script and said the video was recorded on Nov. 28, 2021.
“I’d like to ask the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, please, release me,” he said. “Release me so that I may be reunited with my family.”
Frerichs is a Navy veteran and former civilian contractor. An Illinois native, he was living in Kabul in January 2020 when he was snatched off the street.
Family members remained convinced that Frerichs was alive despite no evidence before Friday’s video. He’s believed to be the last American hostage held by the Taliban.
“This is public confirmation of our family’s long-held belief that he is alive after more than two years in captivity,” Frerichs’ sister and chief advocate, Charlene Cakora, told The New Yorker.
Cakora said she’s been disappointed by former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden’s efforts, or lack thereof, to secure Frerichs’ release.
“We consider this to be an important indicator of the Taliban’s interest in seeking to arrange for Mark’s immediate release,” she said. “President Biden and Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken, we urge you to take bold and decisive action to bring Mark home.”
The Taliban has named its price for Frerichs’ release: Bashir Noorzai, a convicted drug lord serving a life sentence in U.S. federal prison. In 2008, NPR referred to Noorzai as “the Pablo Escobar of the Middle East.”
Noorzai has been detained in the U.S. since his 2005 arrest in New York. The Taliban has requested his release in previous negotiations, including for Bowe Bergdahl, but the U.S. has not budged.
