(UnitedVoice.com) – Back in July 2018, US Navy Veteran, Michael White, was detained in Iran while visiting a woman he met online. Iranian authorities arrested White for reportedly insulting the supreme leader of Iran and posting private information on social media.
President Trump posted a tweet about White’s release.
I am to happy announce that Navy Veteran, Michael White, who has been detained by Iran for 683 days, is on a Swiss plane that just left Iranian Airspace. We expect him to be home with his family in America very soon….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2020
The US Navy veteran was sentenced to 13 years, but served just under 2. Negotiations between Iran and the US resulted in his early release.
Before White’s release, Iranian scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari was released from US custody after being detained for allegedly trying to steal trade secrets. In November 2019, he was acquitted of all charges.
The US government is denying White was part of a prisoner exchange, saying they’ve been trying to deport Asgari since December. The two countries do admit discussing it as a possibility in early negotiations, however.
While in Iranian custody, White tested positive for COVID-19, causing a delay in his return trip back to the United States.
JUST IN: Michael White, a US Navy veteran detained in Iran, is released after more than a year in custody, according to a person familiar with negotiations. https://t.co/Es9ELsY52H pic.twitter.com/IQgWbnjFxz
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) June 4, 2020
On behalf of the United Voice team, welcome home!
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