The release puts an end to almost three years of probation for Reed, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering the “life and health” of Russian police officers in a quarrel. Reed and his family have denied the allegations against him.
“Our family is having a nightmare. Our prayers have been answered today and Trevor is back safe on his way to the United States,” Reed’s family said in a statement.
Reid’s release is part of an exchange of prisoners for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her official Telegram channel.
President Joe Biden confirmed the release.
“Today we welcome Trevor Reed home and celebrate his return to the family he missed so much. Trevor, a former U.S. Marine, has been released from Russian custody. I heard in the voices of Trevor’s parents how worried they were about his health, and I missed his presence. And I was pleased to share with them the good news of Trevor’s freedom, “Biden said in a statement.
Concerns about his health have intensified in recent weeks, prompting his parents to stage a protest in front of the White House last month to raise awareness about their son’s case. Biden then met with his parents to discuss efforts to bring Reed home.
Wednesday’s release once again draws attention to the case of American Paul Whelan, a US citizen and former Marine, who was detained at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 and arrested on espionage charges, which he has consistently denied.
In a statement welcoming Reed’s release, Biden said his administration “will not stop” until Whelan returns.
This story has been broken and will be updated.
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