The Jiangmen Intermediate Court in China rejected the appeal of U.S. national Mark Swidan, who has been unlawfully detained, and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.
Vedant Patel, Department of State principal deputy spokesperson, said U.S. officials have been continuously expressing concerns regarding Swidan's treatment, medical care and his inability to send or receive mail promptly, according to an April 13 news release. President Joe Biden and Secretary Antony Blinken have been focused on the release of Swidan and other U.S. nationals unlawfully detained or held across the world.
“We are disappointed by this decision and will continue to press for his immediate release and return to the United States," Patel said in the release.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has been a prominent voice advocating for Swidan. In February, he introduced a resolution calling for Swidan's release. Swidan was reportedly a resident of Houston, Texas, who has been detained since 2012, according to a February news release.
Swidan, a diabetic, was sentenced to death in 2017 on charges of drug trafficking, which his family and U.S. officials vehemently deny, the February release reported. The resolution highlights Swidan's deteriorating health and the inhumane treatment he has endured, including being denied adequate medical care and not being allowed to communicate with his family or legal representatives.
"Mark Swidan was convicted and sentenced to death on false charges," Cruz said in an April 13 news release. "The Chinese court's decision today is outrageous. It confirms that China is engaged in hostage taking and hostage blackmail. They aspire to be part of the community of nations, but these tactics are those used exclusively by Third World despots."
Cruz called on the Biden administration to "use every tool available to secure Mark's safe return to Texas," according to the April release.
