Russia releases U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley

Russia has released U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley from custody years after his initial arrest, and nine months after being detained.

His release was announced by his family and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s office.

Dudley’s family credited his release to the Richardson Center, which “negotiates for the release of American prisoners and hostages held in hostile regimes or in countries with strained diplomatic relations … on behalf of the families and at no cost to them.”

For the past year, Richardson and his team have worked to secure Dudley’s release by traveling to Russia on several occasions to meet with Russian authorities.

“It is significant that despite the current environment between our two countries, the Russian authorities did the right thing by releasing Taylor today,” Richardson said in the statement. “As we celebrate Taylor’s safe return, we remain very concerned for Paul Whelan and committed to continue to work on his safe return, as we have been for the last four years, as well as other Americans.”

Dudley’s family has asked the media to “respect their privacy and give them the space,” as the ex-Marine returns home.

Dudley has been held in Russia since his initial arrest in 2019. He was detained on charges of espionage.