Additional Coverage:
Three Americans, Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung, who were wrongfully detained in China for years, have returned to the US as part of a prisoner swap.
The three were arrested and held on arbitrary charges. Swidan, sentenced to death for drug charges, was imprisoned for 12 years.
Li, sentenced to 10 years for allegedly providing state secrets, suffered a stroke in prison. Leung, sentenced to death for espionage, was detained for over two years.
The Biden administration negotiated the release of the Americans in exchange for three Chinese nationals convicted of espionage in the US. Yanjun Xu, sentenced to 20 years, and Ji Chaoqun, sentenced to 8 years, were part of the swap.
The State Department confirmed the Americans’ return and Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to them during their journey back. Their families expressed joy and relief at their release.
Congress members Michael McCaul and Chuck Schumer celebrated the Americans’ return, highlighting their advocacy efforts. The releases come after Pastor David Lin’s return from prison in China earlier this year.