BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — An American university student is free after being detained for a week in China for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who manhandled his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that brought U. S. lawmakers to the student’s defense.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — An American university student is free after being detained for a week in China for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who manhandled his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that brought U. S. lawmakers to the student’s defense.
Guthrie McLean, a University of Montana student, was released from a Zhengzhou detention center early Monday, according to his mother, Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city.
« We are very, very, very, very happy, » Jennifer McLean wrote in an email to The Associated Press. She said the release — at 2 a.m. local time, when her son was delivered to her doorstep — came as a surprise after she was twice told to anticipate his release only to be disappointed.
« They have not finished the process completely, but we are hopeful it will go smoothly from here on, » Jennifer McLean said.
The U. S. State Department confirmed Guthrie McClean’s release but provided no details, citing privacy concerns.
« The safety and security of U. S. citizens overseas is one of the Department’s highest priorities, » it said in a statement.
Guthrie Mclean’s release followed an agreement with Chinese authorities to drop any charges against him, according to Montana U.
