Press Releases

Reps. French Hill (AR-02) and Ted Deutch (FL-22), co-chairs of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, released the following statement regarding the release of Mark Frerichs by the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

 “We are thrilled that Mark Frerichs has been released after 31 months of captivity by the Taliban and will be reunited with his family. In Afghanistan, and all around the world, the taking of Americans as hostages or wrongful detainees must end now.

“A Navy veteran and dedicated public servant, Mark should never have been detained. His freedom is a glimmer of hope for every family of an American hostage or wrongful detainee. It is also a testament to the importance of prioritizing this issue, and we thank Special Envoy Carstens, Secretary Blinken, and President Biden for demonstrating ongoing commitment to bringing these Americans home. The U.S. Congress and the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad are ready partners in those efforts.

“We continue to demand that Iran, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, China, and every nation currently holding an American unlawfully release them immediately, and we call on any country that engages in political hostage taking to stop this despicable practice.”