The Trump administration secured the release of an American missionary held in Tunisia for 13 months.

“U.S. officials gained the release on Sunday of an American detained in Tunisia, Robert Vieira, U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler said,” Reuters reports.

Vieira was detained by Tunisian authorities 13 months ago while doing missionary work.

Tunisian authorities suspected him of espionage.

U.S. officials gained the release on Sunday of an American detained in Tunisia, Robert Vieira, U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler said. https://t.co/12iQ4jIEti pic.twitter.com/GKAcwdDXo5

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 13, 2025

Per Reuters:

He said Vieira was flying home to the U.S. with his family after his release.

“We appreciate the government of Tunisia’s decision to resolve this case and allow Mr. Vieira to reunite with his family after more than 13 months of pre-trial detention,” Boehler said.

Boehler said he worked closely with the Tunisian foreign minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti, on gaining the release of the detainee.

American missionary freed after year-long detention in Tunisia on spy charges

Robert Vieira, detained for 13 months in Tunisia on suspicions of espionage, was released Sunday afternoon through efforts led by Trump’s special envoy Adam Boehler, Reuters reports. pic.twitter.com/SrrfWIxlMb

— RT (@RT_com) April 13, 2025

🚨🇺🇸AMERICAN MISSIONARY FREED FROM TUNISIAN DETENTION AFTER 13 MONTHS—U.S. OFFICIALS SECURE RELEASE

Robert Vieira, an American missionary detained in Tunisia on suspicion of espionage, has been released after more than a year behind bars, U.S. envoy Adam Boehler confirmed today.… pic.twitter.com/xZu9k7SRys

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 13, 2025

Fox News reports:

Tunisia, a North African country bordered by Algeria and Libya, was amenable to Vieira’s release after Boehler worked closely with its foreign minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti.

After being released on Sunday, Vieira flew back home to the U.S. alongside his family.

“We appreciate the government of Tunisia’s decision to resolve this case and allow Mr. Vieira to reunite with his family after more than 13 months of pre-trial detention,” Boehler said.

Boehler credited his collaboration with Nafti for securing the detainee’s release.