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Jonathan Franks (advocate)

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Jonathan "Jon" Franks is an American advocate and public relations crisis consultant known for his work in securing the release of individuals held hostage or detained abroad. Franks has successfully advocated for the release of numerous Americans detained in various countries, working through public and private channels. Notable cases include: Andrew Tahmooressi, Michael White, Trevor Reed, Taylor Dudley, James Frisvold,[1] Ridge Alkonis, Savoi Wright,[2][3] among others. Franks provides commentary to the media on cases of Americans held hostage,[4][5] and hostage diplomacy.[6]

Career

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Before his hostage work, Franks worked in public relations and high-risk intervention with clients such as Montel Williams and James Woolsey.[7][8]

In 2013, Franks advocated for the release of Andrew Tahmooressi, a U.S. Marine veteran detained in Mexico. Tahmooressi's case drew widespread media attention.[9] In 2019, Franks was also involved in the case of Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran detained in Iran. He served as a spokesperson for the family.[10][11]

Trevor Reed campaign

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After Trevor Reed's arrest, Franks began collaborating closely with his family. Together, they orchestrated high-profile protests, media campaigns, and garnered political support.[12][13] This collective effort led to an Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and ultimately secured Reed's release from Russia in 2022.[7]

Bring Our Families Home

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Witnessing the success of Franks' approach, other families of detained Americans sought his assistance.[7] Subsequently, Franks worked with these families to launch the Bring Our Families Home campaign merely a week after Reed's release.[7] The daughter of one of the Citgo Six expressed the belief that her father would not have been released without Franks's assistance.[7] U.S. Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger D. Carstens thanked him for his role in a separate release from Venezuela.[14] Neda Sharghi, the sister and advocate for Emad Shargi described Franks as a "game changer."[7]

Franks is known for his role as the spokesperson for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.[15][16] As the spokesperson, Franks has highlighted the cases of Americans wrongfully detained overseas. The campaign aims to raise awareness, apply pressure on the U.S. Government, and mobilize public support to secure the release of detainees. He has publicly advocated for Paul Whelan,[17][18] Evan Gershkovich,[19] and Majd Kamalmaz.[20]

Other cases

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In 2023, Franks represented Taylor Dudley, an American Navy veteran, detained by Russia. Dudley was released in negotiations led by former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.[21][22] Franks also worked on behalf of Naval Officer Ridge Alkonis, detained in Japan for a fatal car crash.[23] Once transferred to the U.S., he advocated for Alkonis's release from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody.[24]

In 2024, Franks advocated for an American detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands for illegal possession of ammunition. The man was subsequently allowed to return to the United States with a suspended sentence.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Navy veteran freed after 13 years in Mexican prison for murder he didn't commit". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  2. ^ "The significance of the prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela". PBS NewsHour. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  3. ^ "Jailed Americans land in Texas after U.S. reaches deal with Venezuela to release an ally of President Nicolás Maduro". NBC News. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  4. ^ Riddell, Don (2022-03-14). "Brittney Griner: 'It's the most audacious hostage taking by a state imaginable,' says former captive". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  5. ^ "Expert hopes Brittney Griner release will lead to getting more people home". baynews9.com. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  6. ^ "Hostage Diplomacy: Exclusive Interview with Mr. Jonathan Franks: Part 1 - Politics Considered". iHeart. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Simon, Joel (2022-12-16). "How the Families of American Hostages Created Bipartisan Support for Prisoner Swaps". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  8. ^ Rucker, Philip (2021-10-28). "Former CIA director James Woolsey quits Trump transition team". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  9. ^ Press, Associated (2014-11-01). "Mexico releases US marine who took guns across border". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  10. ^ "American Held in Iran on Security-Related Charges". Voice of America. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  11. ^ "A US Navy veteran got unexpected help while jailed in Iran. Once released, he repaid the favor". AP News. 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  12. ^ Bella, Timothy (2022-03-12). "Family of Trevor Reed, Marine Corps veteran jailed in Russia, pushes for release as health declines". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  13. ^ "Texans in Congress demand that Russia release ex-Marine from Fort Worth". Dallas News. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  14. ^ "Envoy for hostage affairs describes efforts to free Americans detained abroad". PBS NewsHour. 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  15. ^ "Families of Americans detained overseas plead for White House help". Scripps News (SNEWS). 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  16. ^ "US Holds First Day to Commemorate American Hostages". Voice of America. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  17. ^ "White House celebrating Griner's return while leaving Whelan in Russia 'a little bizarre': Trevor Reed spokesman | Fox News Video". Fox News. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  18. ^ "Paul Whelan's family says he feels 'abandoned' by US in Russian prison". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  19. ^ "Gershkovich's Russian detention 'all an act,' Putin 'pulling the strings': Jonathan Franks | Fox News Video". Fox News. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  20. ^ Staff, A. O. L. (2024-05-18). "American therapist detained in Syria more than seven years ago has died". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  21. ^ Bertrand, Natasha (2023-01-12). "First on CNN: US Navy veteran released from Russian custody | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  22. ^ Crowley, Michael (2023-01-12). "Russia releases a U.S. Navy veteran quietly detained in Kaliningrad in April of last year". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  23. ^ Atwood, Natasha Bertrand,Kylie (2022-08-17). "Family of US Navy officer jailed in Japan over fatal car crash calls on Biden to intervene | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Hansler, Jake Tapper, Jennifer (2023-12-14). "Navy officer released from Japanese prison booked into California federal prison | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "Dad back from Turks and Caicos detainment: 'Doesn't feel real'". NewsNation. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
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