(Washington) An American pastor detained in China since 2006 was released Sunday, according to the US State Department.
David Lin had been sentenced to life, accused of fraud according to American media, but Washington considered the conviction unfounded.
The man, now 68, “has returned to the United States and is able to see his family for the first time in 20 years,” a State Department spokesperson said, welcoming his release.
His daughter, Alice Lin, told Politico that her father would arrive in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday.
Several U.S. citizens are being held in China on various charges, including Kai Li, a businessman accused of espionage in 2016.
Various U.S. officials have advocated for the release of Mr. Lin and other citizens imprisoned in recent years.
Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsom called for his release during a visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The release comes just ahead of a hearing on U.S. citizens imprisoned in China this week in the U.S. Congress.