Mark Swidan
While planning to do a makeover on the house he bought in Houston and with his upcoming wedding in December 2012, businessman, Mark Swidan, went to China to find flooring, fixtures, and furniture. His driver and translator took him to the warehouses. After listing what he wanted, he was ready to come home. His mother was on the phone with him. He asked her to send him $80.00, so he had cash for food on his way home. She heard the commotion and the phone cut off. He had been "detained" for "questioning" by Chinese police. He has been detained for over 9 years. His driver and translator were previously arrested for having drugs. Mark had nothing on him. They took everything he had and interrogated him brutally for days.