4 weeks ago
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(NewsNation) — An American who has been detained successful a Russian situation for 3 years is "fighting for his life," and his sister hopes bid talks betwixt President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin volition pb to his release.
David Barnes has been detained successful Moscow since January 2022, pursuing allegations from his Russian ex-wife, Svetlana Koptyaeva, that helium sexually abused their children portion surviving successful the United States.
Koptyaeva took their 2 young children to Russia amid a custody battle. The Texas Justice Department has recovered those allegations to beryllium not credible, and determination is an apprehension warrant retired for Koptyaeva aft taking the kids to Russia from Texas.
Barnes visited Russia to spot his children and was subsequently arrested and detained by Russian authorities. He was recovered blameworthy 2 years aboriginal successful a Russian tribunal and received a 21.5-year sentence.
According to ABC News, his entreaty to beryllium released was denied. Following bid talks betwixt Trump and Putin, Barnes's sister, Margaret Aaron, is hoping her brother's chances of state volition increase.
"Maybe this acme volition pb to amended relations ... and that determination volition beryllium a breakthrough successful captive releases," Aaron told "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" connected Friday.
Aaron says it is been respective weeks since they person heard from Barnes and that helium is being held successful a compartment with up to 14 different cellmates of assorted nationalities.
The conditions, Aaron says, are "horrible," and the nutrient is "not edible."
Barnes has not yet been designated arsenic a wrongfully detained national by the State Department.
"We bash not cognize [why], we've been warring for that. We anticipation that happens soon; helium needs to beryllium wrongfully detained.
"We person religion successful President Trump's medication that this volition happen," Aaron added.
