Three Wrongfully Detained Americans, Including Mark Swidan, Released from China After Years of Imprisonment

Mark Swidan, a 48-year-old Texas businessman, is among the three Americans who have been released from detention in China after years of imprisonment. The release was announced by the White House on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Swidan had been held in China since 2012, charged with narcotics trafficking, which he and the U.S. government have denied as trumped-up charges.

Swidan was on death row and had been a subject of concern for the U.S. government due to his health and the fear that he might take his own life while in detention. His case was categorized by the State Department as a wrongful detention, and it had been a focal point in diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and China.

The release of Swidan, along with Kai Li and John Leung, was the result of intensive diplomatic negotiations between the Biden administration and Chinese officials. The Biden administration, including President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, had repeatedly raised the issue of wrongfully detained Americans with Chinese leaders, including a recent discussion between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The release is part of a prisoner exchange deal, similar to the one that led to the freeing of U.S. citizen David Lin in September. The deal involved trading unidentified Chinese citizens in U.S. custody for the three Americans.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer credited President Biden’s personal engagement with President Xi for securing the release of the three men, noting that this development brings significant relief to the families of those detained.