What Happened:

• Who: Ten Americans, including military contractors and veterans, held for years on drug-related charges in Kuwait.
• Why: Their release was announced as a gesture of goodwill tied to Kuwait’s National Day, signaling diplomatic warmth.
• How: The pardon follows a visit by Adam Boehler—the Trump administration’s special hostage envoy—and aligns with the U.S. push to bring home Americans detained abroad.
• Aftermath: Six of the freed Americans were flown to New York aboard a U.S.-arranged flight, personally escorted by Jonathan Franks, a key consultant on detainee cases.

Families, human rights advocates, and security insiders say some of those freed claimed abuse, coerced confessions, and fabricated charges—highlighting the blurred line between justice and geopolitical maneuvering.

The relocations occurred amid Ramadan and close to Eid al‑Fitr—both common windows for such pardons in many Muslim-majority countries.

"The timing of the murder of an American citizen in Baghdad puts question marks," al-Sudani said on Monday, adding: "Security is a red line."

Two armed people attacked a vehicle Troell was driving in downtown Baghdad, security sources told CNN. Troell sustained severe injuries in the attack and was transferred to a nearby hospital to receive medical care, but later succumbed to his injuries.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the killing.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that investigations into the attack are ongoing by security authorities in Baghdad.

Troell had been living in Baghdad for two years and had worked for a civil society organization that taught English to Iraqis.

"With great sadness and sorrow, we bid farewell to our dear, Stephen Troll, who has always loved Iraq and its people and sought to serve them," Global English Institute Baghdad, where Troell worked, said in a statement on Tuesday.

US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski expressed her thanks on Twitter Tuesday to "the Iraqi people for their supportive messages following the brutal murder of Steven Troell last night in Baghdad."

"He was here in a private capacity doing what he loved -- working (with) the Iraqi people. My deepest condolences to his wife & young children," Romanowski wrote.

The State Department spokesperson said US officials "stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance" following the incident.