American citizen Jeffrey Fowle was released from North Korea on Tuesday, after being held in the country since May, according to the State Department.
Fowle, a 56-year-old father of three from Ohio was awaiting trial after being charged with leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the northern port city of Chongjin nearly six months ago. His family maintains that he was in the country as a tourist.
WH confirms that North Korea has released American Jeffrey Edward Fowle. He is on the way home to the US. 2 other Americans still held.— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 21, 2014
According to the State Department, North Korean authorities asked that the U.S. transport him out of the country as a condition of Fowle's release. The Department of Defense provided that transportation.
"We can confirm that Jeffrey Fowle has been allowed to depart the DPRK and is on his way home to re-join his family. We welcome the DPRK’s decision to release him," said State Department spokesperson Marie Harf. She thanks the Swedish government for its embassy's "tireless efforts" in arranging Fowle's release.
Ohio Governor Rob Portman tweeted that he was pleased Fowle would be coming home.
Pleased Jeffrey Fowle is returning home to family & can close the chapter on a horrific ordeal in N. Korea. Praying for the Fowle family.— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) October 21, 2014
On Tuesday, a plane that appeared to be a United States Air Force passenger jet was spotted at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, believed to have Fowle onboard. He will be transported to Guam before traveling to the U.S. to be reunited with his family, according to the State Department.
Fowle was reportedly sacked from his job in September due to his "continued incarceration in North Korea," according to a letter from David Hicks, City Manager for Moraine, Ohio, posted on Twitter by ABC News's Jon Williams.
US citizen freed by #DPRK, sacked while prisoner in Pyongyang "in light of your continued incarceration". pic.twitter.com/t6Psoen6p0— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) October 21, 2014
In September, Fowle was interviewed by CNN, during which time he spoke about the "desperate situation" he faced while awaiting trial. Fowle mentioned that he would be in danger of losing his job if he was held past the end of September.
Two other Americans who have been tried and convicted of crimes in North Korea are still being held.
"While this is a positive decision by the DPRK, we remain focused on the continued detention of Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller and again call on the DPRK to immediately release them," Harf said on Tuesday. "The U.S. Government will continue to work actively on their cases."