All articles tagged with #consular assistance
Five Italian nationals were killed after a scuba-diving accident at about 50 meters while exploring underwater caves in the Maldives’ Vaavu Atoll. The foreign ministry says an investigation is underway and the Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka is assisting families; identities and the exact cause have not been disclosed.
An Irish man, Seamus Culleton, is detained by USICE in Texas for five months despite a valid work permit and no criminal record; he says conditions at the facility amount to torture and pleads with Ireland to intervene, including asking the Irish prime minister to raise the case with President Trump. Ireland says it is providing consular assistance as DHS engagement continues; the detention has blocked his green-card interview and sparked diplomatic sensitivity.
A British couple, Lindsay and Craig Foreman, detained in Iran since January on espionage charges, have been allowed their first phone calls home after over 200 days, providing a much-needed emotional boost to their family amid concerns over their conditions and calls for the UK government to secure their release.
Five tourists, including an American, two Danes, a Brit, and an Australian, have died from suspected methanol poisoning after consuming tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos. The US State Department, Britain's Foreign Office, and Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs are providing consular assistance to the victims' families. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of a 19-year-old Australian and expressed concern for another Australian hospitalized in Thailand. Local authorities in Laos are investigating the source of the tainted alcohol.
The family of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian man currently in Czech custody and accused by the U.S. of involvement in a plot to kill a Sikh separatist, has asked India's top court to direct the government to provide him with consular assistance. Gupta's family claims he has been illegally detained in Prague, denied contact with his family in India, and the freedom to seek legal representation. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 4. India has expressed concern about one of its government officials being linked to the plot and has stated it will conduct its own investigation.
American citizen Michael Travis Leake has been arrested in Moscow on suspicion of drug trafficking and running a drug dealing business involving young people. Leake, who has been living in Russia for over a decade, has been charged with selling mephedrone, a drug with effects similar to cocaine and MDMA. If found guilty, he could face up to 12 years in prison. The US State Department has said it will provide consular assistance and monitor the case closely. Leake's arrest comes weeks after Russia extended the detention of imprisoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich for another three months.
American expatriate and Lovi Noch band member, Michael Travis Leake, has been arrested and detained in Moscow on drug charges. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that embassy officials attended his arraignment and are providing consular assistance. Leake is accused of selling drugs and is set to remain in custody until August 6. It is unclear whether he has legal representation. The State Department has issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" notice for Russia, citing concerns over the safety of U.S. citizens.
A US citizen, described as a former paratrooper and musician, has been detained in Moscow and accused of engaging in the narcotics business by attracting young people. The man will remain in custody until August 6, 2023. The US State Department is aware of the detention and is working to provide appropriate consular assistance.