Ruppersberger: Baltimore Man Walks Out of Libyan Prison After 6 Months

Matthew VanDyke went missing in Libya March 12

(Baltimore, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger on Wednesday said a Baltimore man being held captive in a Libyan prison safely escaped. Matthew VanDyke went missing March 12 while reportedly traveling in Libya to witness the uprising against its dictator, Moammar Gaddafi, and write a book about it. VanDyke called his mother, Sharon VanDyke, this afternoon and told her he has left the prison after six months of solitary confinement.

“I am thrilled this story has a happy ending for Matthew and his mother, Sharon, who has never given up hope that her son would come home safely,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “I want to thank the U.S. State Department and other government agencies as well as our allies who still have operating consulates and embassies in Libya for working to bring Matthew and other imprisoned Americans home. This week has been extraordinary for the Libyan people. As they enter into a new era of peace and fairness, we look forward to the safe homecoming of all Americans. I encourage all Americans currently in Libya to work through our allies to get themselves back to the United States as quickly and safely as possible.”

Matthew VanDyke, 32, lives in Baltimore. VanDyke graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in political science.