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 2642 Kidnapped for monetary ransom [1]
Paul Rusesabagina 31 August 2020 25 March 2023 1225 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 430 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 ~2017 espionage [3]
Mark Swidan 13 November 2012 In detention 4073 Assisting the transportation and payment of technicians to manufacture methamphetamine [4]
David Lin and Friends 2008 In detention ~5844 contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison [5]

Iran

Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Notes Ref.
Emad Shargi 30 November 2020 18 September 2023 1134 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 ~2198 [8]
Baquer Namazi 22 February 2016 5 October 2022 2877 Espionage/Spying [9]
Siamak Namazi 13 October 2015 18 September 2023 3007 [10]
Shahab Dalili 2016 In detention ~2922 "Aiding and abetting" the U.S. [11]

North Korea

Pakistan

Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Paul Overby 17 May 2014 In detention 3523

Russia

Name Detained Wrongfully* Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Trevor Reed 16 August 2019 Yes 27 April 2022 985 violence against an officer [12]
Sarah Krivanek 15 December 2021 No 8 December 2022 358 domestic dispute [13][14]
Brittney Griner 17 February 2022 Yes 8 December 2022 294 possession of hashish oil
Paul Whelan 28 December 2018 Yes In detention 1837 espionage
Marc Fogel 15 August 2021 No In detention 876 marijuana possession [15][16]
Eugene Spector 19 February 2020 No In detention 1419 bribery and espionage [17]
Evan Gershkovich 29 March 2023 Yes In detention 285 espionage
David Barnes 13 January 2022 No In detention 725 child abuse (custody dispute) [18]
James Vincent Wilgus 7 November 2016 No In detention 2618 indecent exposure [19]
Thomas Stwalley 6 July 2018 No In detention 2012 intent to distribute marijuana [20]
Michael Travis Leake 6 June 2023 No In detention 216 intent to distribute drugs [21]
Alsu Kurmasheva 18 October 2023 No In detention 82 espionage [22]
*Designated as "Wrongfully Detained" by the U.S. Secretary of State

Middle East

Syria

Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Austin Tice 14 August 2012 In detention 4164
Majd Kamalmaz 15 February 2017 In detention 2518

United Arab Emirates

Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Zack Shahin March 2008 In detention ~5791 bribery and embezzlement [23]

South America

Venezuela

Name Detained Released Days in detention Reason for detention Ref.
Eyvin Hernandez 29 March 2022 December 21 2023 650 Illegal Entry into the Country
Matthew John Heath September 2020 October 1 2022 ~1224 Terrorism and Arms Trafficking
Airan Berry May 2020 December 21 2023 ~1347 Took part in a Beach landing to overthrow the government [24]
Luke Denman May 2020 December 21 2023 ~1347 Took part in a Beach landing to overthrow the government [24]
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. ↑ Yilek, Caitlin (17 August 2023). "U.S. businessman serving sentence for bribery in Russia now arrested for "espionage"". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  18. ↑ Kofsky, Jared (3 August 2022). "Houston-area man detained in Russia for months due to 'political purposes,' Rep. Kevin Brady says". abc13.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  19. ↑ Baca, Nathan; Knier, Becca (31 March 2023). "'The forgotten American' in Russian prison". wusa9.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  20. ↑ Forrest, Brett (18 June 2023). "Russia's Grim 'Fashion Colony': Americans Describe Harsh Life in Remote Labor Camp". wsj.com. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  21. ↑ Williams, Abigail (12 June 2023). "State Department investigating Case of Detained American in Russia". nbcnews.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  22. ↑ Ivan Nechepurenko (19 October 2023). "Russia Detains a U.S. Journalist". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Wikidata Q123128637. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  23. ↑ "The longest-serving overseas American prisoner goes on hunger strike". The longest-serving overseas American prisoner goes on hunger strike. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  24. 1 2 "Family of Texas Green Beret jailed still awaits son's return". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
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