Illegal Detention and Kidnap for Extortion, a blog article by Rob Phayre
There has been a surge recently in kidnap for extortion by nation states. Under some definitions, those kidnaps might be called illegal detentions. But, its not always illegal under their local laws. Hostile foreign states can manipulate their laws to achieve their political aims. That’s done in a way that is distasteful in the west.
Morally, detaining, or arresting people on holiday for trumped up charges is obviously questionable. That is especially true when it’s clearly a long reach for a future bargaining chip.
Illegal detention and kidnap for extortion in Russia and Iran.
I never comment on individual victims by name. But let’s look for a moment at two of the worst offenders by country. Iran and Russia.
Iran has a long history of arresting western nationals, or even their own nationals but who have joint passports. It usually occurs under some public declaration that the victim was spying. Some of those cases go on for years and tie up vast diplomatic resources. More often that not, it works for Iran. Whether it’s a prisoner swap, a concession on sanctions, or the release of billions of dollars of frozen funds. The point is it works for them. All the time the victim is held, media is braying at the government to do something.
Russia follows a similar play book. Whilst they have mainly been targeting American nationals, if you are a national from one of their designated ‘unfriendly countries’ you will be a person of interest for them, no matter why you are travelling there.
If you are a western national, and you are considering holidaying to or through Russia or Iran at the moment, don’t. It’s extremely naïve to think that you won’t be targeted. All you are going to do is put yourself at unreasonable risk and create vast volumes of media.
What’s your motivation?
You have to question your motive for even thinking of going? Culture? Landscape? People? I am sure they are amazing and awe inspiring. But deep down what is it really? Is it so you can tell your social media fans that you went? Or so you can get a reaction at a cocktail party?
When you get picked up, the impact on you personally will be immediate. You will be impacted both physically and psychologically. We don’t even have to mention the words torture or rape. You can guarantee poor diet, limited exercise, detention, loneliness, stress, poor medical care and of course limited or no family contact.
Assuming that one day you are set free, your personal reputation is irrevocably harmed. The incident is going to follow you around for the rest of your life. Future employers are going to question your decision-making ability.
The main impact
Outside your own (selfish) interests, the main impact is that your own government is going to have to use up limited political capital. However it’s packaged for the news, they will have to give concessions to get you added to whatever agreement is made. You weaken your own sides negotiating position.
Hostile states are called hostile states for a reason. They really don’t care about you as an individual and can create whatever evidence they need to implicate you in a crime.
If you want to go to those current hotspots, don’t be surprised if you get locked up.
Hopefully, one day, you will be able to visit and discover those amazing countries and cultures. I haven’t been but I am sure they are worth the wait. Just don’t do it now.
This blog article is written by Rob Phayre, author of How To Deliver A Ransom