Texas man detained in Russia for months due to ‘political purposes’: congressman

Greater than six months after Texas father David Barnes was arrested by Russian authorities, his household is asking on officers in Washington to do extra to attempt to facilitate his launch.

“David’s a really caring and empathetic particular person,” his sister, Carol Barnes, informed ABC Information. “Each minute of daily, my thoughts is on what he is going by way of, the hell that he is residing in, and the way unjust it’s.”

David Barnes has been held since January in a Moscow jail. He’s certainly one of a number of Individuals being detained in Russia, however in contrast to Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan or Marc Fogel, legislation enforcement in Moscow has alleged that he engaged in prison exercise in america — an accusation that has bewildered members of his household, American prosecutors and now, his native congressman.

“Mr. Barnes has been arrested and detained for political functions, and my workplace is working with the State Division to carry him again to Texas as quickly as potential,” Rep. Kevin Brady informed ABC Information in a press release. “We proceed to induce the Biden administration to do all it could actually to resolve this example and free Mr. Barnes.”

David Barnes traveled from suburban Houston to Moscow in December 2021 in an effort to achieve authorized clearance to both see his youngsters or carry them dwelling, after his Russian ex-wife allegedly violated a court docket custody order and fled america with them, based on his household.

In August 2020, a choose in Montgomery County signed an order designating David Barnes as the only managing conservator of his youngsters, which gave him rights to resolve the first dwelling for his youngsters, make choices relating to their schooling, symbolize them in authorized actions, and possess their passports.

Barnes’ ex-wife is herself now needed within the U.S. on a felony cost of interference with baby custody, after she fled with the kids in 2019.

“David Barnes traveled to Russia in an trustworthy try to reunite along with his youngsters, who had been kidnapped by their mom and brought to Russia illegally,” Brady stated. “This can be a baby custody dispute, not a prison matter.”

On Jan. 13, Russian investigators apprehended Barnes in Moscow, accusing him of abusing his two youngsters years earlier in Texas, based on translations of court docket paperwork.

Comparable allegations towards Barnes have been dropped at authorities in Texas by his now-ex-wife Svetlana Koptyaeva throughout their lengthy and acrimonious divorce proceedings. The allegations have been investigated in 2018 by the Division of Household and Protecting Companies, which discovered inadequate proof to help them and closed the case with none findings of abuse or any expenses towards Barnes.

“Right now, there are not any accusations out of Montgomery County that we’re conscious of that might permit Mr. Barnes to be held in custody,” Kelly Blackburn of the Montgomery County District Lawyer’s Workplace informed ABC Information in Could.

A spokesperson for the Harris County District Lawyer’s Workplace stated in Could that David Barnes had not been charged in any baby abuse instances there both.

Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow have met with David Barnes within the time since his arrest, based on emails between his household and the State Division. Nevertheless, Brady’s feedback mark the primary time that an elected official has said publicly that David Barnes’ detention in Russia is because of “political functions.”

Carol Barnes is hoping the elevated consideration on her brother’s state of affairs will inspire different officers to categorise him as being wrongfully detained, push for his launch or add him to a proposed prisoner change between Russia and the U.S.

“Washington ought to be capable of get their very own Americans again dwelling with out a lot purple tape and us having to contact a whole bunch of individuals and getting 1% response,” Carol Barnes stated. “I imply, any person listen.”

In July, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced a proposal that known as on Russia to change Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian citizen who was convicted of expenses associated to unlawful arms trafficking. Carol Barnes stated she has not heard something about her brother being a part of any potential prisoner change.

ABC Information requested the White Home in July whether or not it considers David Barnes to be wrongfully detained and if efforts have been made to safe his launch, however it referred all inquiries to the State Division.

“It is simply so irritating,” Carol Barnes stated. “I notice we’re coping with Russians and it isn’t that simple, however I do not suppose they’re paying sufficient consideration to it.”

A spokesperson for the State Division wrote in a press release on July 26 that they’re persevering with to induce the Russian authorities to permit for normal consular entry and providers to be offered to Individuals who stay detained in Russia.

“We take severely our accountability to help U.S. residents overseas and are monitoring Mr. Barnes’ state of affairs carefully,” the spokesperson stated, partly. “The division routinely screens instances of all U.S. nationals detained overseas for indications that it ought to be designated as a wrongful detention. On account of privateness issues, we’ve no additional remark at the moment.”

David Barnes celebrated his sixty fifth birthday in his Moscow detention heart in July. His household doesn’t know when they may get to see him once more.

“I need him again. I really like him. I miss him,” Carol Barnes stated. “There is no pleasure in my life proper now in any respect.”

ABC Information’ Shannon Crawford contributed to this report.