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Biden To Sign Order Authorizing Measures To Deter Detention Of U.S. Citizens Abroad

By RFE/RL July 19, 2022

President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on July 19 that will aim to deter countries from wrongfully detaining and punishing U.S. citizens abroad.

A U.S. official said on a conference call with reporters that the measure will allow U.S. government agencies to impose sanctions and other measures against those who "wrongfully detain" Americans.

The move comes against the backdrop of the arrest of several U.S. citizens in Russia, including basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been detained there since authorities said they found cannabis oil in vape cartridges in her luggage when she passed through Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February.

Another U.S. citizen, former Marine Paul Whelan, was detained in December 2018 and accused of espionage. He has vehemently denied the charges but was sentenced to 16 years in prison in June 2020.

The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, says 64 Americans are currently wrongfully detained or being held hostage.

The foundation was set up in the name of James Foley, the American journalist who was abducted and killed in Syria in 2014.

The order comes after former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed was involved in a prisoner swap with Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who had been jailed on drug trafficking charges in the United States.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-citizens-detained- biden-order-griner/31950473.html

Copyright (c) 2022. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.