US student Otto Warmbier, who was freed by North Korea, dies aged 22

A US college student who was released by North Korea in a coma has died.

US student Otto Warmbier, who was freed by North Korea, dies aged 22

A US college student who was released by North Korea in a coma has died.

Otto Warmbier was 22.

His family said in a statement released by a hospital in Ohio that Mr Warmbier died on Monday afternoon.

The family thanked the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre for treating him but said: "Unfortunately, the awful torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible beyond the sad one we experienced today."

Mr Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labour in North Korea, convicted of subversion after he tearfully confessed he had tried to steal a propaganda banner.

The University of Virginia student was held for more than 17 months and medically evacuated from North Korea last week.

Doctors said he returned with severe brain damage, but it was not clear what caused it.

AP

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