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U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday that the U.S. had negotiated directly with Syrian authorities about the safe return of U.S. journalist and veteran Austin Theis, who was kidnapped 10 years ago at a checkpoint near Damascus.
“We have engaged extensively with the Syrian authorities, both directly and through third parties, regarding our efforts to seek the safe return of Austin,” Price said at a news conference Monday.
“Unfortunately, despite our calls, despite our involvement, despite the involvement of third parties from other countries, Syria has never admitted to holding him. No, but it will not hinder our efforts.
A US Marine Corps veteran, Tice traveled to Syria in May 2012 to cover the country’s civil war before her final year at Georgetown Law School.
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He was abducted near Damascus in August 2012 by what his family described as “a group of demonstrably jihadists.”
A short video appeared online weeks after his arrest, showing Tice surrounded by armed men, blindfolded and muttering “Oh, Jesus.”
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President Biden said last week that despite Syria’s denials, his administration believes the administration is holding Thaïs.
Biden said on Aug. 10, “We know for sure that he is being held by the Syrian regime.” Abduction, I call on Syria to help end this and bring him home. ”