WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. officials gained the release on Sunday of an American detained in Tunisia, Robert Vieira, U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler said.

Vieira was detained 13 months ago while doing missionary work in Tunisia and was suspected by Tunisian authorities of espionage, Boehler told Reuters.

He said Vieira was flying home to the U.S. with his family after his release.

“We appreciate the government of Tunisia’s decision to resolve this case and allow Mr. Vieira to reunite with his family after more than 13 months of pre-trial detention,” Boehler said.

Boehler said he worked closely with the Tunisian foreign minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti, on gaining the release of the detainee.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Scott Malone)