China frees American pastor after almost 20 years in detention

China has freed David Lin, a U.S. pastor who had been in jail since 2006, said the State Department, which had classified him as wrongfully detained.

China has freed David Lin, a U.S. pastor who had been in jail since 2006, the State Department said Sunday, marking the release of a man who Washington claims was wrongfully detained.

U.S. politicians had for years urged Beijing to free Lin, who was jailed for life on charges of contract fraud.

“We welcome David Lin’s release from prison in the People’s Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years,” a State Department spokesperson said.

American pastor David Lin and his daughter Alice in 1984.Bring Our Families Home Campaign/ Alice LinLin’s daughter Alice earlier told Politico that her 68-year-old father would be arriving in San Antonio, Texas.

“No words can express the joy we have — we have a lot of time to make up for,” Politico quoted her as saying.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-frees-american-pastor-david-lin-rcna171236

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