Grassley this morning issued the following statement regarding Loren Wille's return.
A native Iowan who has been held in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia for the last 5½ months is finally on his way home. My office learned on Christmas morning that Loren Wille, who was facing vehicular manslaughter charges for a July 21 car accident, is a free man. All charges have been dropped.
Last Thursday, I spoke with the chairman of the Georgian parliament in my efforts to press forward for a resolution to this situation. The next day, the criminal case against Loren was dropped due to lack of evidence.
Loren is expected to reach U.S. soil at 2:45 p.m. today when his plane from Istanbul reaches JFK International airport. His sister-in-law and outspoken advocate, Meg Wille, will meet him in New York where they will stay overnight. The Willes plan a homecoming at the Cedar Rapids airport later Wednesday.
I am relieved for Loren and thrilled for his family. His homecoming is a wonderful way to ring in the New Year. And I give credit to the tenacity and perseverance of the Wille family. Thanks to their relentless pursuit for his freedom, we have a happy ending to his long-awaited homecoming.