List of American people imprisoned abroad

This list represents a sample of American people imprisoned abroad by state and non-state actors, past and present. This list includes both citizens of the United States and legal permanent residents. It represents individuals imprisoned through various channels, including tried crimes and kidnappings. It does not include American prisoners of war or war-time kidnappings.

The Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) Roger D. Carstens leads and coordinates activities across the Executive Branch to bring home Americans held hostage in other countries. Non-governmental organizations that advocate for the return of Americans imprisoned abroad include the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the James Foley Legacy Foundation, and the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.

Africa
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Jeffrey Woodke 14 October 2016 20 March 2023 2567 Kidnapped for monetary ransom [1]
Paul Rusesabagina 31 August 2020 25 March 2023 1150 Arrested on charges of terrorism, arson, kidnap and "murder perpetrated against unarmed, innocent Rwandan civilians on Rwandan territory".
Ryan Koher 4 November 2022 provisionally released 355 Arrested trying to fly supplies to orphanage in Northern Mozambique and was held without charges or bail. March 15, 2023 provisionally released but forbidden from leaving country. [2]

Asia

Afghanistan
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Mark Frerichs 31 January 2020 September 2022 944 Kidnapped by the Haqqani network

China
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Kai Li July 2018 In detention ~1942 espionage [3]
Mark Swidan 13 November 2012 In detention 3998 Assisting the transportation and payment of technicians to manufacture methamphetamine [4]
David Lin and Friends 2008 In detention ~5478 contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison [5]

Iran
Further information: List of foreign nationals detained in Iran § U.S. citizens
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Notes Ref.
Emad Shargi 30 November 2020 18 September 2023 1059 Espionage / Spying Sentenced to 10 years in January 2021.

Had previously been cleared in December 2019

 [6][7]
Morad Tahbaz January 2018 18 September 2023 ~2123 [8]
Baquer Namazi 22 February 2016 Provisionally Released 2802 Espionage/Spying, Released on October 1 2022 for medical reasons but forbidden from leaving the country [9]
Siamak Namazi 13 October 2015 18 September 2023 2932 [10]
Shahab Dalili 2016 In detention ~2556 "Aiding and abetting" the U.S. [11]

North Korea
Further information: List of foreign nationals detained in North Korea § Detained U.S. citizens

Pakistan
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Paul Overby 17 May 2014 In detention 3448

Russia
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Trevor Reed 16 August 2019 27 April 2022 985 violence against an officer [12]
Sarah Krivanek late 2021 8 December 2022 ~ 335 domestic dispute [13][14]
Brittney Griner 17 February 2022 8 December 2022 294 possession of hashish oil
Paul Whelan 28 December 2018 In detention 1762 espionage
Marc Fogel 15 August 2021 In detention 801 marijuana possession [15][16]
Evan Gershkovich 29 March 2023 In detention 210 espionage
James Vincent Wilgus 7 November 2016 In detention 2352 indecent exposure
Alsu Kurmasheva 18 October 2023 In detention 7 espionage [17]

Middle East

Syria
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Austin Tice 14 August 2012 In detention 4089
Majd Kamalmaz 15 February 2017 In detention 2443

United Arab Emirates
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Zack Shahin March 2008 In detention ~5716 bribery and embezzlement [18]

South America

Venezuela
Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Eyvin Hernandez 29 March 2022 In detention 575
Matthew John Heath September 2020 October 1 2022 ~1149 Terrorism and Arms Trafficking
Airan Berry May 2020 In detention ~1272 [19]
Luke Denman May 2020 In detention ~1272 [19]
Gustavo Cárdenas 21 November 2017 March 9 2022 1569 Arrested for corruption charges and detained among the Citgo Six
Tomeu Vadell 21 November 2017 October 1 2022 1775
Jorge Toledo 21 November 2017 October 1 2022 1775
Alirio Zambrano 21 November 2017 October 1 2022 1775
Jose Luis Zambrano 21 November 2017 October 1 2022 1775
Jose Angel Pereira 21 November 2017 October 1 2022 1775

References
  1. Korpar, Lora (2021-11-18). "Wife of American man kidnapped 5 years ago in Africa says release being hindered by U.S." Newsweek. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  2. https://maf.org/press/an-update-on-pilot-ryan-koher/
  3. James Griffiths. "How this Long Island man ended up in Chinese prison on espionage charges". CNN. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  4. Amanatullah, Samy (2020-11-30). "The Dui Hua Foundation - American Citizen Mark Swidan: Eight Years in Jiangmen Detention Center". The Dui Hua Foundation. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  5. Perkins, Tony (2019-04-16). "The US must bring imprisoned American pastor David Lin home from China". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  6. Luce, Dan De (2021-01-17). "Iran jailed another American, jeopardizing Biden's plans for diplomacy". NBC News.
  7. Coleman, Justine (2021-01-17). "Iran convicts American businessman on spying charge: report". TheHill. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  8. "Environmentalists Detained in Crackdown Denied Legal Counsel Amid Claims Some Were 'Jewish Spies'". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 5 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019.
  9. "Revolutionary Guards Mark Anniversary of Dual National Siamak Namazi's Arrest With Propaganda Video". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019.
  10. "UN Urged to Take Immediate Action on Namazis". IranWire. 25 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020.
  11. "Iranian-American woman asks for release of husband held in Iran". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  12. "Timeline of Trevor Reed's detention in Russia and release". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  13. Lebedev, Filipp (2022-12-09). "U.S. citizen Sarah Krivanek deported from Russia". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  14. Klemack • •, John Cádiz. "California Teacher Returns to LAX After Being Imprisoned in Russia". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  15. "This American teacher also sits in a Russian jail, worried nobody cares". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  16. "Drug smuggling case of former U.S. embassy employee Fogel sent to court - Russian Interior Ministry". Interfax. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  17. Ivan Nechepurenko (19 October 2023). "Russia Detains a U.S. Journalist". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Wikidata Q123128637. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  18. "The longest-serving overseas American prisoner goes on hunger strike". The longest-serving overseas American prisoner goes on hunger strike. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  19. "Family of Texas Green Beret jailed still awaits son's return". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
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