Biden Calls for Release of US Hostage in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is calling for the release of U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs, who was taken hostage in Afghanistan nearly two years ago.

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Frerichs is a civil engineer and contractor from Lombard, Illinois.

He was kidnapped in January 2020 from the capital of Kabul.

He is believed to be in the custody of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network.

Biden says, “The Taliban must immediately release Mark before it can expect any consideration of its aspirations for legitimacy. This is not negotiable.”