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.
