Jeffrey Edward Fowle
Jeffrey E. Fowle | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958 (age 65–66) Miamisburg, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Municipal worker |
| Known for | Arrest and detention in North Korea |
| Detainment | |
| Country |  North Korea |
| Detained | May 4, 2014 |
| Released | October 21, 2014 |
| Days in detention | 170 |
| Reason for detention | Proselytism[1] |
Jeffrey Edward Fowle (born 1958)[2] is a U.S. citizen who was detained by North Korean authorities in May 2014 after intentionally leaving a Bible in the restroom of the Chongjin Sailor's Club, with full knowledge of violating the local law, which enforces severe religious repressions in the country.[2][3]
Personal life
Fowle is from Miamisburg, Ohio, and worked in the Moraine, Ohio[4] municipal street department.[3] His wife, Tatyana, was born in Russia, and they have three children.[3]
Arrest
In May 2014, while on a guided tour of North Korea, Fowle deliberately left a Korean-English bible in the restroom of the Chongjin Sailor's Club.[5] Proselytism is a crime in North Korea.[1] The bible, containing Fowle's family photo together with his and his wife's names, address and telephone number, was discovered by a staff member and handed in to local authorities. Fowle was arrested at Pyongyang International Airport as his tour group was preparing to leave the country.[2] At the time, Fowle was one of three U.S. citizens detained in North Korea, the others being Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller. They were individually granted interviews with two U.S. news outlets, CNN and Associated Press, pleading for assistance from the U.S. government.[6]
Release
On October 21, 2014, Fowle was released and flown out of North Korea on a U.S. government jet.[1] Sweden facilitated Fowle's release in its capacity as the United States' protecting power in North Korea, as the United States and North Korea did not have formal diplomatic relations.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Jakes, Lara (October 21, 2014). "1 American Released From North Korea". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
- ^ a b c Hunt, Joshua (November 2015). "Holiday at the Dictator's Guesthouse". The Atavist Magazine. Archived from the original on March 4, 2019.
- ^ a b c Welch, William M. (September 2, 2014). "Who are the Americans held in North Korea". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ "Jeffrey Fowle, American Detained in North Korea, Was on Vacation, Lawyer Says". Newsweek. Reuters. June 9, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ Pearson, James (October 2, 2014). "U.S. Tourist Jeffrey Fowle Was Detained In North Korea For Leaving Bible In A Bathroom". Huffington Post.
- ^ Choe, Sang-Hun (September 1, 2014). "In Interviews, 3 Americans Held in North Korea Plead for U.S. Help". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2014.