JAYAPAL CELEBRATES RELEASE OF XIYUE WANG FROM IRANIAN PRISON
On behalf of Xiyue Wang’s mom, a constituent, Jayapal led a letter urging Trump Administration to “use every legal and diplomatic avenue to bring [Wang] home.”
Jayapal: “Today is a glorious day for Xiyue’s family,” and “I am so inspired” by Xiyue’s mom, who “demonstrated such resolve and perseverance.”
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) today celebrated the release of Xiyue Wang, University of Washington alumnus and Princeton University student, from Evin Prison in Tehran after more than three years of wrongful imprisonment. Wang’s mother, Kexu Lan, is a constituent of Jayapal. Jayapal played a key role in advocating for Mr. Wang’s release, including by leading a letter from the Washington State Congressional delegation urging President Trump to prioritize his case and “use every legal and diplomatic avenue to bring him home.”
“I am beyond overjoyed that Xiyue Wang will finally be reunited with his brave, loving mother, wife and son. As a mother myself, I am so inspired by Kexu Lan, Xiyue’s mom and my constituent, who demonstrated such resolve and perseverance fighting for her son’s release. And it was a privilege to be one of their champions, pushing the State Department to prioritize Xiyue’s case,” said Jayapal. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the skilled diplomats who tirelessly worked to secure his release, both from the U.S. State Department and the government of Switzerland. I am also grateful to the students and faculty at the University of Washington and Princeton University who effectively elevated his case to the highest levels of the U.S. government and never gave up in their fight to bring Xiyue home.”
“Today is a glorious day for Xiyue’s family, and I send them strength, love and perseverance as they begin to heal from this horrific ordeal,” Jayapal added.
Wang was conducting dissertation research in Iran before he was arrested in August 2016 and subsequently wrongly convicted of two counts of espionage. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Iran had “no legal basis for the arrest and detention” of Wang.
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