Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

September 19, 2022

Today we have secured the release of Mark Frerichs, and he will soon be home. Mark was taken in Afghanistan in January 2020 and held for 31 months. His release is the culmination of years of tireless work by dedicated public servants across our Government and other partner governments, and I want to thank them for all that effort. I spoke with Mark's sister today to share the good news and express how happy I am for Mark's family. Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark's freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly.

Our priority now is to make sure Mark receives a healthy and safe return and is given the space and time he needs to transition back into society. My administration continues to prioritize the safe return of all Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, and we will not stop until they are reunited with their families. We have much more work to do in many other cases, but Mark's release demonstrates our enduring commitment. Like our work to free Americans held in Burma, Haiti, Russia, Venezuela, and elsewhere, it is our duty to do all we can to bring our people home.

NOTE: The statement referred to Charlene Cakora, sister of Mr. Frerichs.

Categories: Statements by the President : Afghanistan, release of U.S. citizen Mark R. Frerichs from detention.

Names: Cakora, Charlene; Frerichs, Mark R.

Subjects: Afghanistan : Detained U.S. citizen, release; Foreign Policy, U.S : U.S. citizens detained overseas, efforts to secure release.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200811.

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