Austin Tice's family spoke. national press club A journalist who was abducted while reporting in Syria in 2012 is alive, a news agency said Friday.
“Today is a day full of emotions. The news we're hearing from the Middle East is the kind of thing that would make a mother nervous… But the best thing we want to share with you is that our entire government… “This information comes from important sources that have already been vetted,” Debra Tice told reporters.
After years of advocacy under two administrations, members of the Tice family met with the State Department on Thursday and the National Security Council, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, ahead of a press conference on Friday. They say they were able to secure it. CBS.
“Austin Tice is alive and Austin Tice is being treated well, there's no question about that,” Tice's mother said. “So I think that's the most important thing. We really appreciate everyone's sincere prayers to see Austin released.”
Tice disappeared in August 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war as a freelance journalist for McClatchy, the Washington Post, Agence France-Presse, and CBS. He is an award-winning journalist, a veteran captain in the Marine Corps, and a graduate of Georgetown University.
This summer, President Biden called for Tais' release, saying the Syrian government had repeatedly advocated for his release.
“Freedom of the press is essential, and journalists like Austin play a critical role in keeping the public informed and holding those in power accountable,” Biden said in August.
Still, Tice's brother believes more could have been done to bring Austin home.
Simon Tice said: “There is a huge disconnect between what President Biden has told Mr. Austin in terms of doing everything possible to bring him home, and the actions and actions of those sitting directly below him.'' It looks like there is,” he said. Friday
Despite this, families are holding out hope that Evan Gershkovic and Paul Whelan will be reunited with their loved ones after their release in August.
Laura Kelly contributed to this report.
