Latest news with #JonathanFranks
The National
13-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
Kuwait releases six jailed Americans
News US Former inmates were not designated as 'wrongfully detained' by government in Washington Kuwait has released six US citizens from prison in what a representative of the prisoners called an "extraordinary act of mercy". The group was made up of military veterans and contractors who had been held in prison on drug charges, in some cases for several years. Convictions for possession of illegal drugs in Kuwait can include long jail sentences or even the death penalty, the US State Department says. "The prisoners who were released yesterday and their families are extraordinarily grateful to the Kuwaiti government for what is objectively an extraordinary act of mercy," Jonathan Franks, who represents the released prisoners and their families, told The National. Mr Franks, who works on securing the release of US citizens detained abroad, said the group had been left in Kuwait because of "a misguided US government policy that has effectively abandoned Americans detained abroad that aren't designated [as] wrongfully detained". The status of "wrongfully detained" means an American prisoner's case is handled by the administration's special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. The release took place during Ramadan, when governments of Muslim-majority countries often grant pardons to prisoners. It follows a visit to the region this week by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler. The National understands the idea of a potential release of prisoners was first raised in mid-January, when President Donald Trump took office and a new approach towards US citizens detained in foreign countries materialised. Kuwait had not acknowledged the release on its state-run KUNA news agency at the time of writing. The small, oil-rich nation that borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia, is considered a major non-Nato ally of the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month Washington 'remains steadfast in its support for Kuwait's sovereignty and the well-being of its people".
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
6 American prisoners in Kuwait released, land back in US, representative says
Six Americans who were imprisoned in Kuwait have been released in an agreement with the United States, a representative for their families confirmed to ABC News. The Americans, many of whom are veterans and former military contractors, were convicted on drug charges, Jonathan Franks, a crisis management consultant, said. For years, however, the prisoners have "vigorously" maintained their innocence, Franks said. MORE: 2 Americans freed from Afghanistan in prisoner swap, family and Taliban say Several more prisoners are expected to be freed in the coming weeks as part of the agreement, Franks added. "This morning, the Kuwaiti government released six of my clients as part of an agreement that will ultimately free fifteen of my clients in short order. Each was convicted on drug charges, and each vigorously maintains their innocence," Franks said. Convictions for possession of drugs in Kuwait may include long jail sentences or the death penalty, according to an advisory by the U.S. State Department. MORE: Journalist, American among 3 prisoners freed from Belarus ABC News has reached out to the State Department for comment. According to the U.S. Embassy of Kuwait website, American citizens are subject to Kuwait's laws and regulations. Those laws can "differ significantly from those in the United States," and the U.S. government may only be able to offer limited assistance to those charged, the website says. The prisoners' release comes amid President Donald Trump's emphasis on freeing Americans held abroad. In February, three prisoners, including an unnamed American and a journalist dubbed a political prisoner, were released from Belarus. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 6 American prisoners in Kuwait released, land back in US, representative says originally appeared on
