detainees

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From Syria's Liberated Prisons, an American Emerges

Travis Timmerman says he was detained for 7 months after crossing illegally into the country

(Newser) - An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country's notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the...

'Come Early': Navalny's Funeral Set for Friday
'Come Early': Navalny's
Funeral Set for Friday
THE RUNDOWN
Feb 28, 2024 8:30 AM CST

'Come Early': Navalny's Funeral Set for Friday

Meanwhile, attorney who aided opposition leader's mother says he was briefly detained in Moscow

(Newser) - Alexei Navalny's funeral is set for Friday on the outskirts of Moscow, and his spokesperson has two words of advice for anyone hoping to attend, per the New York Times . "Come early," Kira Yarmysh wrote on X , noting that Navalny would be buried in Borisovskoye Cemetery after...

Another American Has Been Detained in Russia

Robert Romanov Woodland, who holds dual US-Russian citizenship, is being held on drug charges

(Newser) - A man from upstate New York is Russia's latest arrestee. The Moscow Times reports that Robert Romanov Woodland, believed to be in his early 30s, has been hit with drug charges there, accused of the "illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, production, [and] processing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or...

US Musician Held for Drug Trafficking in Russia

Michael Travis Leake appeared on Anthony Bourdain's show in 2014, has long lived in Moscow

(Newser) - An American musician who has lived in Russia for more than 10 years has been detained, accused of drug trafficking. A Moscow court has ordered Michael Travis Leake to be held for two months before his trial, until Aug. 6, after he was arrested for allegedly selling the drug mephedrone,...

This Is the Russian on Offer in Exchange for Britney Griner

Viktor Bout, former Soviet military translator, could pass on intelligence, says pundit

(Newser) - The imprisoned Russian arms dealer the Biden administration has reportedly offered to swap for Russian detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan is known here as the "Merchant of Death." Viktor Bout—who reportedly inspired Nicolas Cage's arms dealer character in 2005's Lord of War—is serving...

Biden Signs Order Meant to Deter Hostage Taking

Some families of detained Americans say it doesn't go far enough though

(Newser) - President Biden signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at increasing the flow of information to families of Americans detained abroad and at imposing sanctions on the criminals, terrorists, or government officials who hold them captive. It is unclear if the new order will result in bringing home more Americans jailed...

US Fighter Captured in Ukraine Speaks—Freely or Not

Alexander Drueke 'doing fine' in solitary confinement, though with supposed regrets

(Newser) - One of two US fighters captured in Ukraine says he's "doing fine" despite facing possible execution . Alexander Drueke, a US Army veteran from Alabama, spoke with his mother in a Friday phone call shared with the Washington Post by his family. It was their fifth call since Drueke...

Russia Finally Gives US Access to Brittney Griner

State Department rep says WNBA star appears to be in 'good condition'

(Newser) - An American official has now laid eyes on WNBA champ Brittney Griner in Russia, and she's reportedly "in good condition." TMZ reports State Department rep Ned Price on Wednesday told CNN that the US has been granted consular access to Griner by Russia, and that a US...

Iran: We're Holding US Veteran Due to 'Private Complaint'

Michael White, 46, has been detained since July; his mother says he has cancer, needs treatment

(Newser) - A US Navy veteran detained in Iran is being held in connection to a "private complaint," the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Friday. Michael White, 46, has been held since July, the first known American to have been detained in Iran since President Trump took office, per the...

Female Detainees Drown After Van Swept Away in SC

2 deputies in vehicle survived

(Newser) - Two female mental health patients detained for medical transport drowned Tuesday night when a sheriff's department van was swept away in rising South Carolina flood waters, authorities say. Horry County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Brooke Holden says a sheriff's office van was carrying two detainees and two deputies...

In Wee Hours, Trump Welcomes Home '3 Really Great People'

Three former prisoners arrived back in US from North Korea early Thursday

(Newser) - A proud moment for President Trump: Trump, accompanied by Melania Trump, Mike Pence, and Karen Pence, was on hand to welcome three former prisoners back from North Korea at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington early Thursday, the AP reports. Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song, and Kim Sang Duk were...

Report: 3 Americans Held in North Korea Have Been Moved

South Korean activist indicates the plan is to release the men

(Newser) - North Korea may be preparing to hand President Trump a major diplomatic victory ahead of his summit with Kim Jong Un, according to a South Korean activist with contacts north of the border. South Korean reports have quoted Choi Sung-ryong as saying three detained Americans have been shifted from labor...

Spicer Slammed for 'Flat-Out Not True' Gitmo Claim

He makes new error correcting Trump tweet

(Newser) - Like many things these days, it started with a tweet from President Trump: He claimed Tuesday that 122 "vicious prisoners" released from Guantanamo by the Obama administration had returned to the battlefield. All but nine of those had in fact been released under George W. Bush, Politico reports, but...

'He Will Never Be the Same': WaPo Reporter's Suit Against Iran

Jason Rezaian has filed complaint against Iran for trying to use him as pawn in nuke talks

(Newser) - Jason Rezaian has had time to decompress and re-acclimate to life in the US after being released from Iranian detention in January—and now he's ready to sue. The Washington Post journalist and his family filed a complaint Monday in DC's US District Court against the Iranian government,...

Trump: OK, I Didn't See Video of Iran Money Plane

Walks back claim he saw 'military tape' of 'money pouring off a plane'

(Newser) - As the White House continued to deflect accusations from conservatives that a $400 million payment to Iran was ransom for four American detainees released earlier this year, Donald Trump twice this week claimed he had seen video of a "top secret" transaction in which the huge supposed payout was...

US Sent Iran $400M Same Day Americans Were Released

It was coincidence, not ransom, administration says

(Newser) - " Smart diplomacy "—or dollar diplomacy? The US government quietly delivered the equivalent of $400 million in cash to Iran on Jan. 16 this year, the same day that Tehran released four detained American citizens , sources including US officials tell the Wall Street Journal . The cash, which was...

Friends, Family: Iran May Be Holding San Diego Man

Human rights advocate Robin Shahini taken by Iranian authorities, family says

(Newser) - After graduating from San Diego State University in May, Gholamrez "Reza" Shahini, known to most as Robin, headed to Iran to visit his mom and other family. But the 46-year-old San Diego man hasn't been heard from in more than 10 days, and friends and family back in...

US Student Detained in North Korea 'Confesses'

A Baptist church, a secret society, and the US government made him do it

(Newser) - North Korea trotted out an American college student it's held for two months Monday, and 21-year-old Otto Frederick Warmbier sobbed, bowed deeply, and pleaded for forgiveness from "every one of the millions of the Korean people." "Please! I made the worst mistake of my life,"...

Pentagon Finally Releases Detainee Abuse Photos

The ACLU says the worst ones are being kept under wraps

(Newser) - After fighting an American Civil Liberties Union Freedom of Information Act lawsuit for more than a decade, the Pentagon has finally released photos of Bush-era detainee abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan. But only 198 photos were released on Friday, mainly showing bruises and scrapes, and the military is still blocking...

Judge: US Must Release Military Detainee Abuse Pics

Photos show detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan

(Newser) - The US must release photographs showing abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, a federal judge has ruled in a long-running clash over letting the world see potentially disturbing images of how the military treated prisoners. US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein's ruling yesterday gives the government, which has fought...

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