The Taliban government of Afghanistan released American researcher Dennis Walter Coyle, 64, on Tuesday, ending a 14-month detention.

The leader of Afghanistan, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, personally ordered Coyle’s release after a period of increasing pressure from Washington and appeals from his family. He had been studying languages in the country for the previous 20 years when the Taliban detained him, which his family and Washington argued was arbitrary. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed and celebrated his release.