Fitzpatrick Helps Secure Release Of U.S. Citizen Detained In Congo

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), who chairs the National Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, led a week-long series this summer of intelligence meetings in Liberia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Germany.

The goal of Fitzpatrick?s trip was to conduct official oversight and gain a deeper understanding of the regional dynamics and stability impacts related to U.S. missions in Africa, focusing on power competition, foreign mineral exploitation, human rights violations, governance, and historical and religious considerations.

During the July trip, Fitzpatrick met with numerous high-level government and security officials, including Liberian Foreign Minister Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberian Minister of State Hon. Sylvester Grigsby, Nigerian National Security Advisors, and General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Fitzpatrick also met with Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen currently detained in a Nigerian prison, as well as with Congolese officials to advocate for the release of another American. Acting as a surrogate in negotiations, Fitzpatrick worked to secure the successful release of the detained U.S. citizen from DRC custody on Friday, July 19. The citizen has since been reunited with his family in America.

?From July 12th through July 19th, I traveled through Liberia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a fact-finding mission to assess national security and intelligence-related matters and solidify essential relationships with our key counterparts and strategic partners abroad," said Fitzpatrick.

"I met with government officials, military leaders, security officials, and Tigran Gambaryan, a United States citizen who is being detained in a Nigerian prison," said the congressman. "I requested our Embassy work swiftly to secure his immediate release.

"I also met with officials in the DRC to advocate for the release of another detained American. Today, I am proud to share we have brought that young American home and extend my thanks to the Congolese officials for their cooperation and collaboration in ensuring this safe release.

"While we celebrate this victory, our work is far from over," he said. "There are still Americans, like Tigran, enduring unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and we will not rest until they are home. The United States stands as a beacon of democracy and freedom, and it is incumbent upon all elected officials to uphold our obligation to promote democracy through strength and peace and ensure the safety of our nation and citizens."

Fitzpatrick said he is "determined to continue this mission by fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations with our international allies that safeguard our national and global security. I will continue to work diligently through appropriate channels to address the cases of Americans detained abroad, including Mr. Gambaryan?s situation in Nigeria.?