Summer 2026
He records an appeal to President Trump
From IK-6, a three-minute appeal.
DAY 1,215Michael "Travis" Leake · American citizen · U.S. Air Force veteran
Updates
Dated updates from the campaign
The public record of the campaign to bring Travis home. For the case itself, read the record; for his own words, watch the appeal.
Milestones
October 2025
Cassation denied
Only a Supreme Court appeal remains.
July 2025
Transferred to IK-6
After Butyrka in Moscow, SIZO-2 in Kirov and SIZO-1 in Vladimir, he arrives at IK-6 in Melekhovo, Vladimir Oblast.
April 10, 2025
Appeal upheld
The Moscow City Court upholds the conviction after hearings on March 27 and April 10.
February 12, 2025
Renewed request for designation
His advocates ask the State Department to determine that he is wrongfully detained under the Levinson Act. The request is public.
July 18, 2024
Sentenced to 13 years
The Khamovnichesky District Court sentences him to 13 years in a strict-regime colony. Day 409.
July 9, 2024
The defense asks for acquittal
Counsel asks the court to acquit "due to the absence of a crime event."
September 29, 2023
Independent check refused
His lawyer asks for an independent check, citing photographs of injuries and intake medical records. Refused the same day.
September 28, 2023
He withdraws his statements in writing
He complains that he was forced to plead guilty and deprived of food and sleep. The complaint is sent to the accused officers' own district division.
June 2023
State television calls him a paratrooper
NTV broadcasts the arrest and describes him as a former U.S. military paratrooper. He served in the Air Force in 1989–90 as a heating-and-air-conditioning mechanic and was never a paratrooper.
June 10, 2023
Custody ordered; first U.S. coverage
A Moscow court orders him held. CNN reports the arrest the same day.
June 9, 2023
A judge rules the search lawful
The same judge will later try the case.
June 8, 2023
The formal detention record
Dated 2:20 p.m., 43 hours after the recorded detention. He writes on it that he disagrees. His first lawyer is appointed.
June 7, 2023
A statement with no lawyer present
The lead operative takes a written statement from him through a student interpreter appointed that day. No lawyer is present.
June 6, 2023
Police search his apartment and detain him
The search runs from 7 p.m. to 10:02 p.m. The charging decision records his detention at 7 p.m. Day 1.
June 5, 2023
Moscow police stop the courier
Police stop a woman carrying drug bundles near Frunzenskaya Embankment. That evening an operative writes the report in which Travis's name first enters the file.