The Syrian government Wednesday announced that American journalist and former Marine Austin Tice,days after accusing President Biden of detaining him in Damascus, hostage.
"Last week, the United States issued misleading and illogical statements by the US President and Secretary of State, including Syria's former US Marine Austin It contained unsubstantiated accusations of kidnapping or detaining US citizens, including Tais," the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement obtained by AP.
The ministry went on to deny that it had "kidnapped or detained American citizens on its territory."
The Syrian statement came a week after Biden said Washington was "certainly" aware that Thaïs was "held by the Syrian regime."
"We have repeatedly asked the Syrian government to cooperate in bringing Austin home," the president said. "On the 10th anniversary of his abduction, I call on Syria to help end this and bring him home."
Last Sunday marked the end of Syria's long civil war. It's been 10 years since Tyce was kidnapped while we were there. A video released in September 2012 shows him being blindfolded and being held by armed men saying, "Oh, Jesus." I haven't heard from him since.
State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday. repeated: The United States is seeking information from the Bashar al-Assad government about the status of Tais.
"Unfortunately, despite our calls, despite our involvement, despite the involvement of third parties from other countries, Syria detained him. "But we're moving forward. We're not going to deter our efforts. We're not going to let Austin (his parents) do anything." ), we will do everything in our power to ensure a safe return to Debra and Mark and his entire family.”
Denying contact, it added: "Official dialogue with the US government will only be open to the public on the basis of respect for Syria's sovereignty."
In May, Lebanese security chief Abbas Ibrahim Maj. He met with U.S. officials in Washington as part of a mediation effort between the U.S. and Syria for his release. Lebanon's head of security, Ibrahim, has brokered complex hostage releases in the past.
In May, Biden met with Theis' parents and reiterated their promise to work toward "a return to the Austin family." In a new focus, the US is trying to win the return of WNBA star Britney Griner and another former Marine, Paul Whelan, both detained in Russia. .
Late last month,reported that the Biden administration had convicted Russian arms dealer Victor Bout killed by two Americans.
The Kremlin has indicated its willingness to discussRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week that it must take place "within the framework of channels agreed upon by Presidents Putin and Biden." warned.
Earlier this year, the United States and Russia completed a prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of another former Marine, Trevor Reed.
with post wire
