Two Yanks held in Mideast are freed

WASHINGTON — Two Americans imprisoned in the Middle East were released Thursday, U.S. officials said, and one was a Navy veteran granted medical furlough as Iran struggles to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Michael White, imprisoned more than a year ago for insulting Iran’s supreme leader, was released to the Swiss Embassy as part of a furlough that will require him to remain in Iran. The U.S. will work for his full release, Pompeo said.

Also released was Amer Fakhoury, a New Hampshire restaurant owner who had faced decades-old murder and torture charges in Lebanon that he denies. He was ordered released by a judge because more than 10 years had passed since the crimes he was accused of committing.

The Trump administration trumpeted the releases as part of its efforts to secure the release of Americans held hostage or imprisoned abroad. Officials including President Trump used the occasion to name additional Americans they would like to see released, including journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in Syria in 2012.

“I want to let everyone know that recovering Americans held captive and imprisoned abroad continues to be a top priority for my administration,” Trump said at a news conference.

White’s release, though temporary for the moment, came as Iran has furloughed tens of thousands of prisoners while struggling with an outbreak officials fear could kill millions.

White (left) was detained in Iran while visiting a girlfriend there in July 2018. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for insulting Iran’s supreme leader and posting private information; the State Department said he was serving a 13-year sentence. His mother had called for White’s immediate release this month, saying she was concerned about the well-being of her son and that he had been battling cancer.

Fakhoury (right) was on his way back to the U.S. after being released. He had been imprisoned since September after returning to Lebanon to visit family.

Fakhoury was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma and had been hospitalized in Lebanon.