Kuwait Frees American Prisoners, Including Military Veterans and Contractors on Drug Charges

A group of American detainees has been freed by Kuwaiti authorities after years behind bars.

One of the six American prisoners flown from Kuwait to New York, is escorted by a Customs and Border Protection agent out of Terminal 7 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on March 12, 2025. Pamela Smith/AP Photo

Kuwaiti authorities have released a group of American prisoners, including military veterans and contractors who had been jailed for years on drug-related charges, a representative for the detainees confirmed.

Jonathan Franks, a private consultant specializing in cases involving U.S. hostages and detainees, announced their release in a post on X on March 12, calling it a “really, really good day.”