The Biden administration and the family of Trevor Reed say the U.S. Marine veteran is out of Russian prison and safely on his way back to the U.S. The decision follows years of advocacy by his family and recent reports that his health was rapidly declining.
Russian Foreign Ministry says Reed was exchanged for jailed pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko in a prisoner swap that took place in an unspecified European country.
His parents, Joey and Paula Reed staged a protest outside of the White House last month to raise awareness about his situation and press for an in-person meeting with Biden.
In an unexpected but welcome turn of events, the family announced on Wednesday that Reed had been released after being wrongfully detained for 985 days.
In a statement shared through their spokesperson, the Reeds thanked a slew of local and federal elected officials and diplomatic staff for advocating for their son and helping to secure his release.
While the Biden administration and Reed's family are celebrating his release, they are also drawing attention to the plight of other Americans detained in Russia.
Biden called Reed's return a testament to the priority his administration has put on bringing home Americans who are being held hostage abroad. "We won't stop until Paul Whelan and others join Trevor in the loving arms of family and friends," he added.
