A UVA student who was arrested, tried and sentenced to hard labor in North Korea has been released, but his family says he’s in a coma. Sandy Hausman reports on what’s known about Otto Warmbier and on reaction from the University of Virginia, where he would have graduated this year.
22 year old Otto Warmbier was last seen in March of 2016 at a news conference organized by the North Korean government. He confessed to stealing a pro-government banner from his hotel during a tour in January and blamed the mother of a friend who is active in her local church.
“Sharon emphasized that her church does not support the government of North Korea. She said communist nations rally around political slogans. She asked me to take an important political slogan from North Korea to be hung in her church as a trophy.”
And then, he begged the North Koreans to forgive him.
“I wish that the United States administration never manipulate people like myself in the future to commit crimes against foreign countries.”
Now, Warmbier’s family has been told he suffered a bout of deadly botulism poisoning in March, took a sleeping pill and has been in a coma ever since. UVA President Teresa Sullivan released a statement today, expressing relief, deep concern and sadness over Warmbier’s condition, adding that the UVA family would continue to keep the Warmbiers in our thoughts and prayers.
Here is UVA President Teresa Sullivan's full statement:
“While the entire University of Virginia community is relieved to learn of Otto’s release from North Korea, we are deeply concerned and saddened to learn from his family that he is in a coma. The last 17 months have been an extremely difficult and emotionally trying time for the Warmbier family. The UVA family will continue to keep the Warmbiers in our thoughts and prayers as Otto returns to the United States and his home where he will receive the care and support of those who love him.”