Dad of freed student says son was 'brutalized'

United States student Otto Warmbier.

The student's father, Fred Warmbier doesn't believe that his son's condition was caused by a sleeping pill and botulism, as told by North Korean officials.

The 22-year-old University of Virginia student, who is now in a coma, was freed for humanitarian reasons, according to a one-line report from a North Korean news agency Thursday.

But Warmbier's father left no doubt he blames North Korea, blasting the secretive regime in a 23-minute news conference at his son's alma mater, Wyoming High School north of Cincinnati.

Fred Warmbier said his son was "lured" to North Korea by a Chinese tourist agency, which advertised "safe" trips for American citizens.

Recently released North Korea detainee Otto Warmbier has suffered severe neurological damage and his family flatly rejects the regime's explanation for his condition, reporters were told Thursday in his OH hometown.

Otto Warmbier is in stable condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with his mother by his side, hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin said.

Fred addressed the public in a news conference Thursday morning to talk about Otto's medical condition after his release Tuesday from the totalitarian nation.

"I don't think we'll ever find the answer", he said.

As well as Trump's ghostwritten 1987 bestseller, gifts laid out for the North Korean leader included a copy of 'Where's Waldo?', a mermaid puzzle - Kim's daughter Ju-ae is thought to be about five years old - signed jerseys and several bundles of upmarket soap.

The Ohio man said he trusted a "false premise they would treat Otto fairly and let him go", even though he did not hear from his son for 15 months. He told TIME that Warmbier's return to the USA does not exempt North Korea from facing consequences going forward.

In its first official comment since Warmbier was returned home, North Korea said it released him for humanitarian reasons.

The video, which TIME obtained from Cincinnati station WCPO, show Warmbier being placed in an ambulance, after which he was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment.

The Obama administration advised the Warmbiers to "take a low profile" following Otto's detainment in January 2016, Fred said. He called on the country to release three other Americans now held there. Warmbier's condition apparently deteriorated shortly after he was sentenced for subversion in March 2016. "We see the results of their actions with Otto". "North Korea wants to encourage the Trump administration to move away from a policy of maximum pressure, which has garnered few results, to a more diplomatic footing", he said.

Doctors plan a news conference on campus later Thursday. "And I thank him for that". "We're trying to make him as comfortable as we can".

He said that he had spoken to President Trump last night, describing the call as gracious.

Warmbier's father, Frank Warmbier, addressed the media earlier in the day, saying it was "bittersweet" to have his son home.