Dennis Fitzpatrick Working to Secure Release of U.S. Citizen Wrongfully Detained by Taliban
Date: June 7, 2024
Mr. Glezmann is a Delta Air Lines mechanic who lawfully visited Afghanistan for tourism purposes. He was seized and detained by Taliban officials without any cause soon after his arrival. He has been held in a basement in Kabul for more than 18 months and suffers from medical issues requiring urgent treatment.
The Secretary of State designated Mr. Glezmann a wrongful detainee pursuant to the criteria set forth in the Robert A. Levinson Hostage-Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. This designation transfers responsibility for the matter to the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) within the State Department. Mr. Fitzpatrick has been in close contact with officials within SPEHA and the White House in an effort to secure Mr. Glezmann’s release. He has also been in contact with the offices of Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who have urged President Biden to redouble efforts on Mr. Glezmann’s behalf.
While acknowledging the attention and support that the Biden administration has given to Mr. Glezmann’s plight, Mr. Fitzpatrick stresses the need for more urgency and pressure on the Taliban to respect the rule of law, human rights and human dignity. In releasing Mr. Glezmann on humanitarian grounds, he says, the Taliban would demonstrate a willingness to engage positively with the international community. Mr. Glezmann’s safe return home is a priority for the United States, and Mr. Fitzpatrick urges everyone to rally behind his cause.
About Dennis Fitzpatrick: Mr. Fitzpatrick is a seasoned litigator with over 20 years of experience investigating and prosecuting complex criminal cases. He has led dozens of sensitive and complicated investigations, both in the U.S. and abroad, and has especially deep experience with sanctions evasion, export controls, FARA, money-laundering, tax fraud and bribery. Additionally, he has handled jury trials and hundreds of hearings on complex matters including espionage, terrorism, racketeering, international drug trafficking and money laundering. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, focused on investigations and trials in the National Security and International Crime Unit, and has worked in conjunction with nearly all elements of the U.S. government including the FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury and the United States Military.
About Whiteford: With nearly 200 attorneys, Whiteford provides a comprehensive range of business law and litigation services to clients ranging from innovative start-ups to middle market companies to Fortune 100 enterprises. With a growing Mid-Atlantic footprint that includes offices in Delaware, D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Whiteford serves clients regionally, nationally and internationally.