Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued this statement after a Mexican court ordered that U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi must remain in the jail in which he has been held since his March arrest:

“While I am disappointed that Wednesday’s evidentiary hearing did not result in Sgt. Tahmooressi’s immediate release, I am hopeful that his case will be dealt with in a fair and timely manner.  It must.  My committee will continue to follow this case closely, and I will continue appealing to the Government of Mexico for Andrew’s immediate release so that he can begin treatment for his combat-related PTSD.  As I said when I visited him in jail, Andrew is an American hero who served his country valiantly on the battlefields of Afghanistan, and needs to be home in the United States with his family.”

Note:  Last month, Chairman Royce, along with Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairman Matt Salmon (R-AZ), visited with Sgt. Tahmooressi in prison in order to check on his condition.  A report on the visit is available HERE.  Also last month, Chairman Royce personally contacted Mexico’s Foreign Secretary, Dr. Jose Antonio Meade Kuribeña, expressing his serious concern about Sgt. Tahmooressi’s arrest and detention and urging a quick resolution.  Chairman Royce’s letter is available HERE.

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