Texas dad thrown in Russian penal colony where he’s lost half of his teeth in four years after he flew to Moscow to see two sons his ex-wife abducted
David Barnes, 69, says he has lost half his teeth and 25 pounds while serving a 22.5-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. He was arrested after travelling to Moscow to see his two sons, and says he is wrongfully imprisoned; the case has drawn attention to his health and the family’s efforts to secure help.
A Russian court convicted Barnes of sexually abusing his sons in the US, allegations he denies. Texas authorities investigated the claims and found no crimes, according to the article. Barnes describes poor medical care, limited food and contact with family at IK-7 in Shilovo; his sister says she sends money for extra food and phone calls and suspects he faces pressure from other inmates.
In short
- David Barnes says prison conditions have damaged his health.
- He is serving a 22.5-year sentence in Russia.
- He denies the abuse allegations behind his conviction.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The conviction reflects a Russian court’s finding that Barnes sexually abused his sons, and supporters of the judgment may argue that the allegations warranted serious consequences if the court considered the evidence sufficient. They may also say that a separate investigation in Texas does not by itself settle what happened or invalidate the Russian proceedings.
The case against
Barnes denies the allegations, and the article says Texas authorities investigated and found no crimes, grounds for questioning the conviction and whether the case was fairly decided. His reported weight loss, tooth loss and limited access to medical care and food also raise concerns about his treatment in custody, regardless of the merits of the allegations.
Explained simply
David Barnes is a US citizen from Texas whose two sons were living in Russia with their mother, his former wife. He travelled to Moscow to see them and was arrested; a Russian court later convicted him of sexually abusing the boys in the United States.
Barnes denies the allegations, and Texas authorities reportedly investigated them without finding a crime. The case involves different accounts by the parents and legal decisions made in Russia and the US.
Barnes is serving a 22.5-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. His family says his reported weight loss, dental problems and difficulty getting food and medical care have become urgent concerns, while seeking help for him from outside Russia.