Katharina Buczek
“Call the Embassy in Washington, D.C., and let them know that an American Citizen is in Russian jail and, to this date, no one has come to see me,” Sarah wrote in the letter obtained by PEOPLE.
Still, though, Sarah’s friends and family have not heard from her since the arrest.
Anita did reach out to President Joe Biden via the White House website in late June regarding Sarah.
But, the only response she received back explained how White House staff reviewed her email and sent it to “the appropriate Federal agency for further action.”
Moreover, when PEOPLE reached out to the State Department for comment on the situation, the Department underscored its expectation of “consistent, timely consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia in line with its legal obligations.”
Unfortunately, though, the Department also explained how all U.S. citizens traveling abroad are subject to the local laws and regulations.
“We assist U.S. citizens within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law,” a State Department official said.
In turn, exactly if or when Sarah’s imprisonment will be rectified remains to be seen.
The vice president of the Russian Department of the International Human Rights Defense Committee, Ivan Melnikov, did share that he plans to speak with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding Sarah’s case.
“I believe American citizen Sarah Krivanek was wrongly convicted as it seems she herself was the victim of domestic violence and was defending herself from the attack. Her so-called victim also withdrew the charges,” Melnikov told PEOPLE.
So, he is urging U.S. officials to partake in a prisoner swap.
