Friend of mine, David Barnes, is a prisoner in a Russian Jail, please spread this.

[ptcarter]

One of my best friends growing up has been jailed in Russia for the last 2 and 1/2 years. There is a big prisoner swap today and from all I'm hearing, it doesn't look like David will be a part of this. What's his story? It's all here: www.freedavidbarnes.com. I know his story, and followed his divorce. David was living in Houston and back when Tenn played Texas A&M, (I think 2017), my son and I went and stayed with David for the weekend of the game. David had his son, "Little David" with him and what I witnessed that weekend was a son that adored his Dad. The allegations against him were to get the Russian wife and more importantly the Russian Mother in law back to Russia. David was an obstacle and their accusations are a "Hail Mary" to get him out of way so they could return. Now she's facing kidnapping charges and kids are Interpol Code yellow.

By the way, here is a couple of pictures of David and I playing 80 lb and 95 lb YMCA ball. I've know this guy for a LONG time and have been following this since his marriage. He's 100% innocent, you have to trust me on that, and if I wasn't certain, I'd not stand up for what he is accused of.

Signing up for the newsletter is important. We want to put pressure on his ex, because, with her blessing, he can come home. He's got a 21 year sentence in Russia (under appeal, but the Russian courts are nothing like here - he had no chance in the courts there and won't on the appeal either). He's still in a detention center in Moscow, and once the appeal is over, he will be sent to a labor camp, most likely the one where Paul Wheelan was in Moldoviya, 300 miles from Moscow.

There is still a sliver of a chance he'll be included in this exchange today, but his case isn't as political as the others, even though it sort of is. Since he was cleared of all this in his trial in Houston, he NAIVELY thought he could go over there and get visitation established legitimately to see his two sons. HE NEVER HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THEM ON RUSSIAN SOIL. EVERY THING HE WAS CHARGED WITH WAS WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS AND HE WAS CLEARED BY A JURY TRIAL. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RE_ESTABLISHED HIS DIVORCE VISITATION RIGHTS AND THAT'S WHEN SHE BOLTED FOR RUSSIA WITH THE KIDS.

Read David's story and sign up for the newsletter. He's relaying messages from jail to me and I'm getting his messages out there on the web page.

Go to the LEGAL documents section of the webpage. You can see the results of the trial, the arrest warrant for Svetlana if she ever tries to get back to Texas, and the Interpol notice about the kids being kidnapped.

80 lb football, around 1968


95 lb. football, around 1969

 

[tbh]

One of my best friends growing up has been jailed in Russia for the last 2 and 1/2 years. There is a big prisoner swap today and from all I'm hearing, it doesn't look like David will be a part of this. What's his story? It's all here: www.freedavidbarnes.com. I know his story, and followed his divorce. David was living in Houston and back when Tenn played Texas A&M, (I think 2017), my son and I went and stayed with David for the weekend of the game. David had his son, "Little David" with him and what I witnessed that weekend was a son that adored his Dad. The allegations against him were to get the Russian wife and more importantly the Russian Mother in law back to Russia. David was an obstacle and their accusations are a "Hail Mary" to get him out of way so they could return. Now she's facing kidnapping charges and kids are Interpol Code yellow.

By the way, here is a couple of pictures of David and I playing 80 lb and 95 lb YMCA ball. I've know this guy for a LONG time and have been following this since his marriage. He's 100% innocent, you have to trust me on that, and if I wasn't certain, I'd not stand up for what he is accused of.

Signing up for the newsletter is important. We want to put pressure on his ex, because, with her blessing, he can come home. He's got a 21 year sentence in Russia (under appeal, but the Russian courts are nothing like here - he had no chance in the courts there and won't on the appeal either). He's still in a detention center in Moscow, and once the appeal is over, he will be sent to a labor camp, most likely the one where Paul Wheelan was in Moldoviya, 300 miles from Moscow.

There is still a sliver of a chance he'll be included in this exchange today, but his case isn't as political as the others, even though it sort of is. Since he was cleared of all this in his trial in Houston, he NAIVELY thought he could go over there and get visitation established legitimately to see his two sons. HE NEVER HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THEM ON RUSSIAN SOIL. EVERY THING HE WAS CHARGED WITH WAS WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS AND HE WAS CLEARED BY A JURY TRIAL. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RE_ESTABLISHED HIS DIVORCE VISITATION RIGHTS AND THAT'S WHEN SHE BOLTED FOR RUSSIA WITH THE KIDS.

Read David's story and sign up for the newsletter. He's relaying messages from jail to me and I'm getting his messages out there on the web page.

Go to the LEGAL documents section of the webpage. You can see the results of the trial, the arrest warrant for Svetlana if she ever tries to get back to Texas, and the Interpol notice about the kids being kidnapped.

80 lb football, around 1968
View attachment 663638

95 lb. football, around 1969
View attachment 663637

When I saw the headlines about the prisoner swap ealier, I immediately thought of your friend. It's absurd how easily the mother of his children essentially weaponized the courts against him, both in the US and abroad.

Fingers crossed that he makes it into the swap deal!

 

[VOLLeeann]

Copy n pasted link to this thread in my vlog

 

[ptcarter]

Copy n pasted link to this thread in my vlog

Thank you. State Department calling David's sister in about an hour. Will be interesting if they explain how he was left out of this deal. I'll report back. Many thanks for your support.

 

[tbh]

Looks like there's still no movement on your friend's situation...here's hoping they find a path to get him and his boys home sooner than later.

The Americans Left Behind in Russia After Historic Prisoner Swap https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-am...-russia-after-historic-prisoner-swap-d29dc78d

 

[ptcarter]

Looks like there's still no movement on your friend's situation...here's hoping they find a path to get him and his boys home sooner than later.

The Americans Left Behind in Russia After Historic Prisoner Swap https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-am...-russia-after-historic-prisoner-swap-d29dc78d

We are working with some folks who know how to navigate in this arena. I think this is positive in that he’s moved up the totem pole. Happy the the big fish were hauled in the boat.

 

[ptcarter]

Update - Here is a news story. We have been working with Mickey Bergman for over a year now. He's incredible as was his predecessor, Governor Richardson. David gets a mention.

CNN talking to Mickey Berman after hostage exchange earlier this week

 

[ptcarter]

An update. I was a part of an interview by a local TV station. You can see it here.

'We want him home': Family, friends rally to bring home Huntsville native in Russian captivity

David Barnes has been imprisoned in Russia since January 2022 over a crime his family says he did not commit.

www.rocketcitynow.com

 

[ptcarter]

Also, we are working with some really good folks. Formerly the Richardson Center for Global Diplomacy, now "Global Reach". These folks have a great track record of getting people returned, so hopefully something will pop.

I'll throw the press release here. If you are so inclined, sign up for the newsletter and sign the petition. This isn't a place where you will be sent SPAM and useless emails. It's a website strategically placed so as to put pressure on those in Washington (at any level, Executive and Legislative branch).
The goal is to put David in a "bucket" with 3 others that have a similar fate, and push for them to get home. Below is the press release and the link. Thank you for any support - David is having a really hard time. I got a hand written letter from him last night and will transcribe it and post it here in a new post.

Here is the press release and the link:

(September 9, 2024, Washington, DC) – Mickey Bergman, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Reach, announced today the establishment of a new effort to advocate for four of the American citizens who were left behind in Russia after the August 1 multinational detainee exchange that saw the release of American citizens Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva.

Bergman commented: “The August 1 exchange showed that these cases can be resolved when there is top-down leadership. I commend the Biden Administration and the numerous people in the US and allied governments who made it possible for these Americans to return home to their families. We are grateful for the freedom returned to those who were released, but it reminds us that others still need to come home.”

Global Reach has funded the creation of http://americansleftbehind.us, a website that highlights the four cases involving Ksenia Karelina, Robert Gilman, Andre Khachatoorian, and David Barnes. In each instance, the website also provides background information, a link to their family page, and an explanation of why the case should be determined by the State Department to be a wrongful detention under the criteria of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. Global Reach has also committed resources to advocating on behalf of these four Americans to ensure that they are not left behind in any future detainee exchange between the US and Russia.

Bergman explained: “We are advocating for these four cases because the American public needs to know that innocent American citizens were left behind in Russia after the August 1 exchange. While we are grateful to the Biden Administration for bringing home Paul, Evan, and Alsu, we still need to bring home Ksenia, Robert, Andre, and David.”

Bergman added:

“These are four cases involving American citizens imprisoned in Russia who we believe are innocent and have had their cases politicized so they can all eventually be used in trades. They are not being held there for their individual circumstances, but because they are Americans.”

“It is crucial that the State Department designates these cases as being wrongful detentions. Once that happens, it positions the State Department to negotiate for the release of these individuals. Right now, the designation is not happening and State won’t explain why they have not acted, why is it taking so long, or what their hold-up is.”

“There needs to be a sense of urgency in making these designations or in telling the family why not. Some of these requests are over a year old, with no response.”

Individual family websites can be found at:

Ksenia Karelina - https://www.freeksenia.com/
Robert Gilman - https://www.freerobertgilman.com/
Andre Khachatoorian - https://www.freeandre.org/
David Barnes- https://www.freedavidbarnes.com/

 

[LadyVolette]

I don’t know what is up with these Russian women.. we had a friend when we lived in East TN who had a Russian bride and she tried to poison him once, and one time tried to run him over with his truck.. very pretty but very evil.. they’re weird

 

[ptcarter]

I don’t know what is up with these Russian women.. we had a friend when we lived in East TN who had a Russian bride and she tried to poison him once, and one time tried to run him over with his truck.. very pretty but very evil.. they’re weird

This is the most evil I've ever seen in a person. The first time David had seen his oldest, David jr, in 3 years was at sentencing. She brought him to the court so he could witness his Dad getting a 21 year sentence.