Pastor Ezra Jin and his family visiting the McCain Institute office following his release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2026) – The McCain Institute celebrates the release of Pastor Ezra Jin, who has been reunited with his family after more than eight months in detention.
Throughout Pastor Jin’s detention, the John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative (FPPI) served as a steadfast advocate for his release. The Institute amplified his case among U.S. and international policy forums, elevated his story to the public through an op-ed in the Washington Examiner, and provided a platform for Pastor Jin’s daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, to discuss her father’s imprisonment during a March 2026 convening on Capitol Hill.
“We are so grateful that Pastor Ezra Jin is finally home with his family,” said McCain Institute Human Rights & Freedom Senior Program Manager Alexis Mrachek. “We deeply appreciate all those in the U.S. government and beyond who advocated on his behalf. Pastor Jin’s release is welcome news, and we hope it will soon be followed by the release of Pastor Gao Quanfu (arrested in May 2025), his wife Pang Yu (arrested in June 2025), and others who remain detained. We continue to work closely with our partners to support these efforts.”
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative HERE.