REP LIEU COMMENDS RELEASE OF AMERICAN PRISONERS HELD IN RUSSIA

LOS ANGELES – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration secured the release of four Americans unjustly held in Russia.

“I want to commend President Biden, Secretary Blinken and all of our allies and diplomatic partners for bringing home Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Paul Whelan. After suffering the injustice of false imprisonment, they can now all safely return home to process this horrible experience. Today is a joyous day for them, for their families and friends, and for our country. President Joe Biden deserves every bit of credit for making this happen.

“This great news underscores how important it is that we continue efforts to free other unjustly imprisoned people like Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American and L.A. resident who is being wrongfully held in Russia because she donated a small amount of money to a nonprofit helping Ukraine. Her release, as well as that of other Americans, must remain a diplomatic priority moving forward.”

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