David Lin, a U.S. pastor who had been imprisoned in China since 2006, has been released. The State Department confirmed his release and welcomed his return to the United States after nearly 20 years of detention. Lin was jailed for life on charges of contract fraud, but the U.S. government claimed he was wrongfully detained. His daughter expressed joy at his return, stating that they now have a lot of time to make up for.
U.S. politicians, including the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had been urging Beijing to release Lin, Kai Li, and Mark Swidan, who were all reportedly wrongfully detained according to Washington. The U.S. government has raised concerns about the treatment of American citizens imprisoned in China, particularly those facing health issues like Lin, Li, and Swidan.
A congressional commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the cases of American citizens imprisoned in China, focusing on Lin, Li, and Swidan. While China maintains that such cases are handled according to the law, the U.S. government continues to push for the release of individuals they believe are wrongfully detained. Lin’s release marks a significant development in this ongoing effort to ensure the well-being of American citizens detained in China.
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