Mark Swidan, a Texas businessman, has been wrongfully detained in China for over a decade on narcotics trafficking charges that he denies. His mother, Katherine Swidan, has expressed fears that her son may take his own life due to the conditions of his detention. Mark Swidan has reported to his mother that the conditions are much worse than what is being portrayed by the U.S. government and has called for President Biden to act to secure his release.
Despite being in China at the time of his arrest, Mark Swidan was not present during the alleged offenses of narcotics trafficking. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has reviewed his case and found discrepancies in the charges against him. Despite this, a Chinese court upheld his death sentence in 2023 with a two-year reprieve. The State Department has objected to this ruling and continues to press for his immediate release and return to the United States.
Mark Swidan’s family and supporters have expressed concerns about his deteriorating health, detailing instances of torture he has undergone, including having his hands broken and kneecaps forcibly dislocated. He has also lost significant weight and is experiencing severe health issues while in detention. The State Department has designated Mark Swidan, along with two other Americans, as wrongfully detained in China, prompting efforts to secure their release.
President Biden has called for the release of wrongfully detained Americans during a recent call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marks the first time the two leaders have spoken since their meeting at a summit in California last November. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen are expected to continue high-level talks with Chinese officials in the coming weeks to address the issue of wrongfully detained Americans, including Mark Swidan.
Katherine Swidan has expressed frustration with the government’s inability to secure her son’s release and has vowed to hold them accountable for his deteriorating condition. She has been working with lawyers to explore all available options to ensure his safe return to the United States. The family continues to advocate for Mark Swidan’s release, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to prevent any further harm to his well-being.
