U.S. Pastor David Lin Freed from Chinese Prison after Nearly 20 Years

China has released David Lin, a U.S. pastor jailed since 2006 on contract fraud charges, which the U.S. claims were wrongful. Lin's release was welcomed by U.S. officials, and he has returned to his family in Texas. The case, along with two other detainees, will be discussed in a congressional hearing.

China has released David Lin, a U.S. pastor who had been imprisoned since 2006, the State Department announced on Sunday, marking a significant moment for Washington, which claims Lin was wrongfully detained.

For years, U.S. politicians have pleaded with Beijing to release Lin, who was sentenced to life on charges of contract fraud. 'We welcome David Lin's release from prison in the People's Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years,' a State Department spokesperson stated.

According to his daughter Alice, Lin, 68, is expected to arrive in San Antonio, Texas. 'No words can express the joy we have — we have a lot of time to make up for,' Politico cited her as saying.

Last November, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman urged President Joe Biden to advocate for Lin's release during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with two other detainees—Kai Li and Mark Swidan. Washington asserts that all three were wrongfully detained, though China maintains these cases are managed according to its laws.

A congressional commission is set to hold a hearing next Wednesday to discuss the situation of American citizens imprisoned in China, focusing on Lin, Li, and Swidan. The commission highlighted that all three have experienced health issues during their detention.

(With inputs from agencies.)