Houstonian among 3 Americans released after years of imprisonment in China

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Years after being thrown into a Chinese prison, a Houston man and two other Americans are headed home after the U.S. secured their release in a prisoner swap with China.

On Wednesday, the State Department announced the release of Kai Li, John Leung, and Houstonian Mark Swidan. All three were headed to Joint Air Base San Antonio for medical evaluations Wednesday night.

"All the wrongfully detained Americans in the PRC (People's Republic of China) are home," a State Department statement read.

Mark Swidan's mother, Katherine Swidan, posted on social media Wednesday, "My son free at last."

The post was accompanied by a picture of her son wearing a sweater emblazoned with an American flag and flanked by two State Department officials. His hair has grayed, and he appears thinner.

Mark Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a business trip. He was accused of being part of a drug conspiracy. He was convicted years later and sentenced to death.

Over the years, ABC13 covered his mother's fight for his freedom and her pleas for help.

"I need someone to answer me, reach out to me because I can't let my son die in this place," Katherine Swidan told ABC13 in 2022. She previously also said her son was kept in terrible conditions and had lost 100 pounds due to a lack of food.

Texas lawmakers praised the news of the release.

Sen. Ted Cruz wrote in a statement that he credited President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken for working "tirelessly to secure this achievement, and I am deeply grateful for all their efforts. "

Houston Congressman Al Green echoed the praise after so many years of diplomats' hard work.

"It takes time to get it done because the rules there are not the same as the rules here. What we call due process does not exist in many places," Green told Eyewitness News. "It's a wonderful thing. I'm excited, elated, and grateful that it's happening. A Thanksgiving blessing."

According to officials, China will return three Chinese Nationals in return. All three were convicted in the U.S. of espionage.

Through Mark Swidan's attorney, his family issued the following statement regarding the news:

"The Swidan family is asking for privacy, but they'll have more to say later. They are grateful for this opportunity to be united in time for Thanksgiving."

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