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American Detained in North Korea for Leaving Bible at Club Has Been Freed

American Detained in North Korea for Leaving Bible at Club Has Been Freed

One of three Americans held in North Korea has been freed and returned to the United States. Jeffrey Fowle had been detained in the reclusive country for five months after officials say he intentionally left a Bible while visiting a club in the country as part of a tourist visit. All religious activity is tightly controlled in North Korea and the act was seen as a serious crime.

CNN interviewed Fowle during his detention, who admitted to the “covert act and a violation of tourists’ rules,” though the network said the interview process was tightly controlled by North Korean officials. The State Department seemed to be a little baffled by the sudden move by North Korea, telling the media, “we’ll let the North Koreans speak for themselves about why they decided to do this, why now.” Two Americans—including missionary Kenneth Bae—are still imprisoned there, and the White House said they’ve been given no new news about their legal status …

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