High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova addressed Attorney General of the United States of America Mr. William P. Barr for the protection of the rights of Russian citizen Bogdana Osipova.

Dear Mr. Barr,

I hereby present my compliments to you.

As a High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, I am deeply concerned about the situation that has developed around Bogdana Osipova, a Russian citizen who had been convicted to seven years imprisonment in the United States of America for allegedly "kidnapping" her daughter. She is currently serving her sentence in FCI Danbury, Connecticut.

Unfortunately, the rate of coronavirus spread in the United States of America remains alarming to the present day. The infection has also affected detention facilities. In the memorandum for Director of Bureau of Prisons dated 04/03/2020 you have justly noted that the public authorities of the United States of America are directly responsible for the health and security of all people serving sentences in detention facilities of the USA. You have defined FCI Danbury, in which Ms. Osipova is currently serving her sentence, as a detention facility where it is a top priority to move vulnerable inmates out of the bounds of the correctional institution.

In case of being contracted the new coronavirus infection, Ms. Osipova’s life would be put at risk due to her being in poor health and suffering from multiple chronic diseases such as Reynaud’s disease, Lyme disease and Ciguatera poisoning nerve damage.

In this regard, Bogdana Osipova requested the Kansas District Court of the USA for an order releasing her from custody on condition of home confinement. Unfortunately, in the response to the motion for release pending appeal, the United States Attorney for the district of Kansas Steven R. McAllister petitioned the Court for denying Ms. Osipova’s request disregarding the threat to her life and health.

Guided by the principles of humanity and the value of human life, I kindly ask you, distinguished Mr Barr, to consider the possibility of supporting Bogdana Osipova’s motion for release pending appeal.

Sincerely yours,
Tatiana Moskalkova
High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation