North Korea nabs third American over forgotten Bible

North Korea recently arrested another American, bringing the number of Americans that country has detained up to three.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The North Korean government reported that the country detained Jeffrey Edward Fowle after he left a Bible in a hotel room while he was on a tourism trip in the communist country.

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The 56-year-old from Ohio arrived in North Korea on April 29 with his wife Tatynana and their three children. His family claims that he is being held on charges of an unspecified crime, and the Central News Agency said that he was under investigation for committing acts inconsistent with the purposes of a tourist visit but did not give any details.

American officials have confirmed that an American is being detained by the communist nation, but did not identify the detained American as Jeffrey Fowle, nor did they comment on the allegations.

Timothy Tepe, an attorney acting as the Fowle family spokesperson confirmed that North Korean was holding Fowle but added that he was not on a mission for his church, but instead acting as a tourist. Tepe said that Fowle "loves the adventure of experiencing different cultures and seeing new places."

The family thanked the Swedish Embassy for their efforts to free Fowle and the support they've received around the world.

Mr. Fowle's wife, Tatyana, is a Russian immigrant who speaks limited English. Mark Howard, who attends Fowle's church, says Fowle always stays close to her in case she needs to interpretation. Tatyana and their three children are back in America.

"They are pretty much inseparable," said Howard. "You never see him not by her side. They're a very nice family."

Representative Michael Turner, from Dayton Ohio, said that he was "deeply troubled by the detainment of American and Miamisburg resident Jeffery Edward Fowle, by the authoritarian government of North Korea."

"We have been in contact with the State Department and will continue to carefully monitor Fowle's detainment as we await the release of additional information," he said.

Missionary Kenneth Bae and Mathew Miller have also been detained by North Korea. Bae was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after making what that country describes as "hostile acts" against it, while Miller was arrested on April 10 for ripping up his tourist visa and demanding asylum.

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