The family of Austin Tice spoke at the National Press Club on Friday, stating that the journalist who was abducted in 2012 while reporting in Syria is alive.
“Today is a day full of emotions. The news that we're hearing from the Middle East is the kind of thing that can unsettle a mom…but the best thing that we want to share with you is that we have from a significant source that has already been vetted all over our government,” Debra Tice told reporters.
After years of advocacy under two administrations, members of the Tice family were able to secure a meeting with the State Department on Thursday and the National Security Council, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday before their news conference according to CBS.
“Austin Tice is alive, Austin Tice is treated well, and there is no doubt about that,” Tice's mother said. “And so I think that is the most important thing, and I would sincerely appreciate your most faithful prayers that we will see Austin walk free.”
Tice disappeared in August 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war as a freelance journalist for McClatchy, The Washington Post, Agence France-Presse and CBS, among other publications. He is an award-winning journalist as well as a veteran captain in the Marines and graduate of Georgetown University.
This summer, President Biden called on the Syrian government to release Tice, stating his administration has repeatedly advocated for his release.
“The freedom of the press is essential, and journalists like Austin play a critical role informing the public and holding those in power accountable,” Biden said in August.
Still, Tice’s brother believes more could be done to bring Austin home.
“There just seems to be a massive disconnect between what President Biden has dictated for Austin in terms of doing everything that we can to bring him home, and then the actions and the behavior of the people that sit just below him,” Simon Tice said Friday
Nonetheless, the family remains hopeful that they will be reunited with their loved one after the release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in August.
Laura Kelly contributed to this report.
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