Lombard man Mark Frerichs, held hostage by Taliban, released in prisoner swap

LOMBARD, In poor health. (WLS) — A Lombard man who has been held captive by the Taliban for greater than two years has been launched after a prisoner swap.

Frerichs, a Navy veteran, was in Afghanistan working as a civil engineer on development initiatives when he was lured into a gathering the place he was kidnapped in 2020.

Bashir Noorzai, a infamous drug lord and member of the Taliban, stated he was returned to Kabul, in alternate for Frerichs being launched.

Household of Lombard man pleads for return of last-known US Taliban hostage amid Afghanistan withdrawal

Frerichs was final seen in a video earlier this 12 months pleading to be reunited together with his household.

Frerich’s sister, Charlene Cakora, stated in an announcement, “I’m so blissful to listen to that my brother is protected and on his method dwelling to us. Our household has prayed for this every day of the greater than 31 months he has been a hostage. We by no means gave up hope that he would survive and are available dwelling safely to us.

“We’re grateful to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Senators Duckworth and Durbin for his or her efforts to free Mark. Senator Duckworth acquired personally concerned – advocating tirelessly inside our authorities to get him dwelling.

“My brother is alive and protected as a result of President Biden took motion. There have been some of us arguing towards the deal that introduced Mark dwelling, however President Biden did what was proper. He saved the lifetime of an harmless American veteran.

“We additionally wish to thank the numerous individuals on the State Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Nationwide Safety Council who labored diligently to assist us and push different parts of the US Authorities to make Mark’s protected return a precedence. Ambassador Roger Carstens, the Particular Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, was personally concerned after Mark was taken and his efforts to lift Mark’s profile in each the Trump and Biden Administrations have been necessary elements in in the present day’s outcome.”

“I’m so blissful to listen to that my brother is protected and on his method dwelling to us. Our household has prayed for this every day of the greater than 31 months he has been a hostage. We by no means gave up hope that he would survive and are available dwelling safely to us.”

Sister of Lombard man, final American hostage held by Taliban, begs Biden: ‘Get my brother dwelling’

President Joe Biden stated he spoke with Frerichs’ sister to share the information of the discharge.

“Our precedence now could be to verify Mark receives a wholesome and protected return and is given the house and time he must transition again into society,” Biden stated.

Eric Lebson, a former nationwide safety official, who labored as a volunteer to advise Frerichs’ household, stated in an announcement, “Every thing about this case has been an uphill combat. Initially the Trump Administration gave away our leverage to get Mark dwelling rapidly by signing a peace accord with the Taliban with out ever having requested them to return Mark first. Mark’s household then needed to navigate two Administrations, the place many individuals seen Mark’s protected return as an obstacle to their plans for Afghanistan.

“There was a small group of devoted of us – each in authorities and outdoors – who labored onerous to maintain Mark’s title within the information, created choices, and helped get a call in entrance of President Biden. Mark is free in the present day as a result of there are individuals who really wish to convey People dwelling from hostage or wrongful detention overseas and President Biden has proven he’s amongst that group.

“We hope that President Biden’s actions are an indicator of his dedication to do the identical on an pressing foundation for different People held hostage or wrongfully detained overseas. They’re being held as a result of they’re People and so they want the US Authorities to convey them dwelling.”

Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth additionally launched statements Monday morning on the discharge of Frerichs.

“It is a profound reduction that Mark Frerichs, a Navy Veteran who served our nation honorably, is now safely again in American palms after being kidnapped in Afghanistan greater than two and a half years in the past,” stated Duckworth. “I am thrilled that his household, who’ve lengthy been Mark’s champions, will get to reunite with him. I applaud President Biden, who I spoke with personally about the necessity to get Mark dwelling, for taking the steps essential to show that we don’t go away People behind.”

“I’m deeply heartened by Mark’s lengthy overdue launch and the reduction it would convey to him and his household. The tragic and merciless use of him as a hostage has lastly come to an finish. I wish to thank President Biden and his workforce for his or her tireless effort to safe Mark’s launch and common engagement with us and his household alongside the way in which,” stated Durbin.

Frerichs is a graduate of Glenbard East Excessive College. College officers stated they’re excited to be taught of his launch. It is unclear how quickly he shall be again on U.S. soil.