Last three Americans ‘wrongfully detained’ by China released after years in prison

NEWS WIRES

28 November 2024 at 2:57 am·2-min read

The last Americans considered to have been “wrongfully detained” by Chinese authorities have been released and will soon be on their way home to reunite with their families, US State Secretary Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday. All three men have spent years behind bars – one of them has been held since 2012 – and their release is part of a swap deal.

China has freed three Americans considered wrongfully detained in a swap with the United States, US officials said Wednesday, meeting a key goal of outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration.

The three Americans—Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung—were the last prisoners in China classified by the State Department as wrongfully detained, although activists and families have raised the cases of other US citizens.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to all three “as they traveled home to the United States just in time for Thanksgiving,” the American holiday associated with family reunions.

“I told them how glad I was that they were in good health and that they’ll soon be reunited with their loved ones,” he added in a post on X.

A source close to the matter said that the three were being freed in a swap with Beijing for three Chinese nationals in US custody who were not identified.

Swidan was detained in late 2012 on a business trip to China on drug charges. His family and supporters say there was never any evidence he had drugs and that his driver and translator had blamed him.

(AFP)

Australian Associated Press
Immigration detainee forcibly sedated while deported
The forcible injecting of an immigration detainee with an antipsychotic drug as he was being deported has been slammed by a federal government watchdog.
Australian Associated Press
Liverpool's lead cut as Newcastle snatch thrilling draw
Newcastle scored in the 90th minute to secure a 3-3 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Chelsea went second with a 5-1 win over Southampton.
Australian Associated Press
Ange backs struggling Spurs captain Son
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has scored just four goals this season but manager Ange Postecoglou has warned against writing him off.
Australian Associated Press
Are you better off: question at heart of next election
The opposition says excessive government spending is trashing the economy, but Labor says coalition cuts would just make it harder for households.
Australian Associated Press
Frankfurt follow Bayern out of German Cup with 3-0 loss
The German Cup upsets have continued with Leipzig ousting Eintracht Frankfurt in the third round.
Australian Associated Press
More Mbappe woe as Real Madrid lose to Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid have lost ground to leaders Barcelona in the Spanish league after a 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao.
Australian Associated Press
Wife-killer Dawson appeals carnal knowledge conviction
Chris Dawson has made a bid to overturn a conviction over sex with an underage student after his appeal against his murder conviction failed.
Australian Associated Press
Record-setting hockey great Eddie Ockenden retires
After five Olympics and a record 451 international appearances for Australia over 18 years, hockey great Eddie Ockenden has announced his retirement.
Australian Associated Press
French government toppled in deepening political crisis
Far-right and left-wing lawmakers have joined forces to back a no-confidence motion against French Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
Australian Associated Press
Marsh fails to bowl leading into Adelaide Test
Allrounder Mitch Marsh has failed to bowl ahead of the Adelaide Oval pink-ball Test as Australia weigh up whether to pick him as a batter-only.
Australian Associated Press
Premier blasts 'unsubstantiated rumours' over turf club
Opposition to a NSW racecourse making way for thousands of homes is behind an "old fashioned smear" Premier Chris Minns says is cynical political point scoring.
Australian Associated Press
Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik denied parole
The anti-Muslim neo-Nazi who killed eight people with a car bomb in Oslo in 2011 and then gunned down 69, most of them teenagers, has been denied parole.
Australian Associated Press
Republicans keep narrow US House majority
US President-elect Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans will control both the White House and both chambers of Congress starting in January.
Australian Associated Press
Coe wants Johnson initiative to add lustre to athletics
World Athletics chief Seb Coe says Michael Johnson's new track initiative is no threat to the governing body, and he wishes the new competition every success.
Australian Associated Press
Richardson's GB dream on track where he won as Aussie
Australian cycling defector Matthew Richardson is dreaming of a homecoming win as a Briton on the track where he won Commonwealth crown in gold-and-green.
Australian Associated Press
Super League to follow NRL 'captain's challenge' lead
A captain's challenge will be brought into all Super League matches, as well as other televised games, in Britain and Europe from next season.
Australian Associated Press
UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot on Manhattan street
Police say UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been fatally shot outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan.
Australian Associated Press
Georgia opposition leader beaten and detained: party
Several Georgian opposition parties say police have arrested their members amid anti-government protests.
Australian Associated Press
South Korean ruling party to oppose Yoon's impeachment
A motion has been introduced to South Korea's parliament to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol but his party says their MPs will oppose the move.
Australian Associated Press
FAs accused of 'deafening silence' over Saudi World Cup
Amnesty International says national FAs need to end their "deafening silence" over human rights issues surrounding Saud Arabia grabbing the 2034 World Cup.

Latest stories