(NewsNation) — Former Chinese hostage Mark Swidan says he is still struggling every day almost a year after his return to the United States.
Speaking in his first television interview since being released in November 2024 as part of a prisoner swap, Swidan detailed his experience to “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” after the remaining living Hamas hostages were released.
“You’re starting off from scratch at 50 years old now,” Swidan said, referring to his 12-year absence from the U.S.
Swidan was accused of drug trafficking and ultimately sentenced to death twice before the United Nations and Biden administration worked to secure his release along with two other American citizens, Kai Li and John Leung.
Fundraiser to help Mark Swidan get his life back together
On Monday, Hamas released 20 living and four deceased hostages, but Israelis are still waiting for the release of 24 more deceased hostages, bringing a familiar feeling to Swidan’s mind.
He shared a small cell with 30 men and slept on a concrete floor with lights shining down 24 hours a day. Swidan and other inmates were given a small bowl of rice twice a day, accompanied by a piece of pork fat on top. He lost 100 pounds during his time in incarceration.
“There’s no running water in there, there’s no windows, there’s no outside time, there’s no toilets, there’s no facility. They don’t give you any clothing to wear, aside from that vest you saw in those pictures,” he said of his time in a Chinese detention camp.
Swidan says he is the only person to stay in a detention camp for that long a time, Osama bin Laden’s bodyguard aside. His mother sold Swidan’s house in an attempt to fund his return home, spending over $1 million on “useless” lawyers.
“I came home to basically nothing,” Swidan said. “I’m still recovering. I’m just trying to get it together.”
He has trouble sleeping each night, something he defines as a “major problem” in addition to his eyesight and ability to gain weight.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Swidan’s mother to help him get his life back together after losing everything and returning to the United States with just the clothes on his back.
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