WASHINGTON — Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) commended the release of Mark Swidan, a Texas native wrongfully detained in China for over 12 years.
On November 13, 2012, Texas resident Mark Swidan was arrested by the People’s Republic of China and falsely accused of being a member of an international criminal drug organization. A year later, in November of 2013, Swidan was tried, and despite no evidence of drugs ever being found, the PRC’s unjust legal system sentenced him to death in 2019.
After being wrongfully detained for 10 years, in April of 2023, the PRC upheld its decision to uphold Swidan’s death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence which drew widespread international condemnation.
Central to Mark’s release effort was the unyielding determination of his mother, Katherine, who worked tirelessly to ensure Mark’s story remained at the forefront of advocacy efforts.
In February 2023, the House of Representatives unanimously passed Cloud’s resolution, H.Res. 90, demanding Swidan’s immediate release. In April of 2023, Rep. Cloud co-led a bipartisan letter with Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) urging Secretary Blinken to prioritize Swidan’s case in all dealings with China.
The letter highlighted the grave injustices of Swidan’s detainment and was co-signed by over 60 members of Congress from both parties, reflecting widespread support for his release.
Rep. Cloud and other lawmakers stated in the letter, “Mark Swidan’s situation is made even more dire given the physical and psychological torture he is enduring at the Jiangmen municipal detention center. Swidan is currently being held in a detention facility that is intended to hold individuals for up to 48 hours. His mother says he is going blind, has fractures in his leg, and has broken his hands five to seven times.”
Rep. Cloud released the following statement following the news that China will be releasing Swidan:
“This is a day of immense relief and celebration for Mark Swidan, his family, and all Americans who have prayed and fought for his release. For over a decade, Mark endured inhumane conditions and an unjust legal system that denied him his most basic rights. Today, we celebrate his freedom and the collective efforts of so many who refused to let his case be forgotten.
“I am grateful to those in Congress, the State Department, and all who worked tirelessly to secure this outcome. Today’s announcement is a testament to the persistence of so many who worked tirelessly to bring attention to Mark’s case and secure his freedom.”
The news of Swidan’s release represents a significant milestone in the fight for justice and demonstrates the strength of united efforts to bring Americans wrongfully detained abroad back home. Mark Swidan and his fellow Americans are now free, thanks to the relentless commitment of countless individuals and institutions.
Watch Rep. Cloud’s floor speech demanding the release of Mark Swidan on April 25, 2023 here.