Princeton Grad Student Released By Iran In Prisoner Exchange

Xiyue Wang and his family. photo via @FreeXiyueWang on twitter

Xiyue Wang, 38, a Princeton University graduated student, was released from an Iranian prison on Saturday. Wang had been held on espionage charges since August of 2016. He was exchanged by the U.S. government for Masoud Soleimani, an Iranian scientist who was arrested in Chicago last year and convicted of violating American trade sanctions against Iran, according to the NY Times.

Rep Chris Smith has kept pressure on the Trump Administration to secure Wang’s release since the PhD candidate’s friends and family reached out to the congressman in early 2018.

Smith asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to work toward Wang’s release during a May 2018 congressional hearing.

Smith appeared on FoxNews this afternoon to discussed Wang’s release and to praise President Trump’s efforts in securing this freedom and return to his family.