Frerichs, a Navy veteran, was in Afghanistan working as a civil engineer on construction projects when he was lured into an encounter where he was kidnapped in 2020. Bashir Nurzai, a notorious drug lord and member of the Taliban, said he had returned to Kabul in exchange for Frerichs’ release. RELATED: Lombardo family seeks return of last known US Taliban hostage amid pullout from Afghanistan Frerichs was last seen in a video earlier this year pleading to be reunited with his family. Frerich’s sister, Charlene Cakora, said in a statement: “I am so happy to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home. Our family has prayed for him every day in the more than 31 months he has been hostage We never gave up hope that he would survive and return safely to our home. “We are grateful to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Senators Duckworth and Durbin for their efforts to free Mark. Senator Duckworth was personally involved – he advocated tirelessly to our government to bring him home. “My brother is alive and safe because President Biden took action. There were some who argued against the deal that brought Mark home, but President Biden did the right thing. He saved the life of an innocent American veteran. “We also want to thank the countless people at the State Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Security Council who have worked diligently to support us and push other elements of the US government to make Mark’s safe return a priority. Ambassador Roger Carstens, the President’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, was personally involved after Mark’s arrest, and his efforts to raise Mark’s profile in both the Trump and Biden administrations were important factors in today’s outcome.” “I am so glad to hear that my brother is safe and on his way home. Our family prayed for him every day in the more than 31 months he was a hostage. We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home to us. with safety”. RELATED: Sister of Lombardo, last American hostage held by Taliban, pleads with Biden: ‘Bring my brother home’ President Joe Biden said he spoke with Frerichs’ sister to share the news of the release. “Our priority now is to ensure that Mark has a healthy and safe return and is given the space and time he needs to reintegrate into society,” Biden said. Eric Lebson, a former national security official who volunteered to counsel Frerichs’ family, said in a statement: “Everything about this case has been an uphill battle. Initially the Trump administration let us go back. quickly getting Mark home. signing a peace deal with the Taliban without ever asking them to return Mark first. Mark’s family then had to navigate two Commands where many people saw Mark’s safe return as an obstacle to their plans for Afghanistan. “There was a small group of dedicated people — both in and out of government — who worked hard to keep Mark’s name in the news, created options and helped get a decision before President Biden. Mark is free today because there are people who they really want to bring Americans home from hostages or illegal detention abroad, and President Biden has shown that he is among that group. “We hope that President Biden’s actions are a sign of his commitment to do the same on an urgent basis for other Americans who are being held hostage or illegally held abroad. They are being held because they are Americans and they need the US government to bring them home. “ Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth also issued statements Monday morning regarding Frerichs’ release. “It is a deep relief that Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who served our nation honorably, is now safely in American hands after his abduction in Afghanistan two and a half years ago,” Duckworth said. “I am thrilled that his family, who have long been champions of Mark, will be reunited with him. I applaud President Biden, with whom I spoke personally about the need to bring Mark home, for taking the necessary steps to prove that you don’t leave the Americans behind.” “I am deeply moved by Mark’s belated release and the relief it will bring to him and his family. His tragic and cruel use as a hostage has finally come to an end. I want to thank President Biden and his team for their tireless efforts to secure Mark’s release and regular engagement with us and his family along the way,” Durbin said. Frerichs is a graduate of Glenbard East High School. School officials said they were thrilled to learn of his release. It is unclear how soon he will return to US soil. Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All rights reserved.
