Attorneys for American imprisoned by Taliban file pressing petitions with U.N.

Attorneys for Ryan Corbett, an American who has been imprisoned with out cost by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 2022, filed pressing petitions on Thursday with the United Nations within the newest push for his launch. 

The petitions embody testimonies from two not too long ago launched, non-American detainees who described Corbett’s deteriorating psychological and bodily situation in addition to descriptions of torture and different merciless and degrading therapy by the Taliban.

Filed earlier than the U.N. Particular Rapporteur on Torture and the U.N. Working Group for Arbitrary Detention, the petitions mentioned the people who had been jailed with Corbett expressed considerations that the 40-year-old father of three might die quickly, because of medical issues, maltreatment or self-harm.

The previous detainees described Taliban holders’ threats of bodily violence towards Corbett, who they mentioned was pressured to hearken to the torture of different prisoners in a cell the place blood was seen on the partitions.

The people additionally mentioned Corbett was severely malnourished and suffered from blackouts and fainting episodes, was not often allowed to bathe or go to the toilet, and was being held in a basement cell with virtually no daylight or train.

Suhail Saheen, the pinnacle of the Taliban’s political workplace in Qatar, advised CBS Information he had no details about the claims of torture. “As per my info, he has entry to medical doctors and telephonic conversations together with his household on common foundation. Torture is illegal and prohibited by the Islamic Emirate,” he mentioned.

If the U.N. arms take up the petitions, they will open investigations and difficulty non-binding authorized opinions declaring a person wrongfully detained and calling for his or her launch.

“Right now’s filings are an pressing response to the horrific situations by which Ryan has been struggling for over 20 months. It will be onerous to think about situations that will pose a better quick risk to the lifetime of a detainee,” mentioned Kate Gibson, one of many household’s attorneys, in a press release.

Anna Corbett, Ryan’s spouse, mentioned in a press release that her husband’s scenario was “quickly worsening,” and that she and her kids had been “involved that the President isn’t specializing in bringing him residence earlier than it’s too late.”

“I’ve hardly acquired communication from the White Home though I proceed to ask for conferences with President Biden and [National Security Advisor] Jake Sullivan. These requests are left unanswered,” she mentioned, noting she did not too long ago meet with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

“The US is worried concerning the well-being of People detained in Afghanistan and actively working for his or her launch,” a State Division spokesperson advised CBS Information.

The White Home and United States Mission to the United Nations didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

In earlier interviews with CBS Information’ Margaret Brennan, Anna mentioned she had solely had 5 cellphone calls with Ryan up to now 20 months. In what she referred to as a “disturbing” name in March, Anna mentioned Ryan “exhibited a considerably deteriorated psychological state,” and that he was beginning to consider what he was advised by his captors — that he was forgotten by his nation.

Anna Corbett attended the president’s State of the Union tackle in March to boost consciousness of her husband’s case. Earlier this month, the Senate handed a decision calling for Ryan Corbett’s launch earlier than his forty first birthday.

Mukhtar Ahmed contributed to this report.