SET: Robert Freeman
I met Robert outside ARCH, the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, and we began to talk. After a while, he pulled out his story from a beat-up canvas bag and said, “I want everyone to know that this government won’t lift a finger to help you. They don’t care.” He then left to look for antibiotics for his teeth. I typed up his story for you; I condensed a few parts and committed some email addresses. More photos after the jump.
CONSUL GENERAL
US EMBASSY
GUADALAJARA, MEX
ATTN : EDWARD J RAMOTOWSKIMy name is Robert Freeman. I am an American citizen. I was repatriated from Kenya to USA in August 2008. I had lived in Kenya for twelve years. I was illegally detained in Shemo La Tewa prison in Mombasa Kenya for a period of six months exactly. I was detained as a civil debtor. This so-called “debt” was a demand for alimony prior to a divorce. The request was dismissed in the Kenyan High Court and a property settlement was ordered upon completion of-the divorce. It was ordered by the judge that “no property was to be disposed of prior to such divorce/settlement” I was present as was my wife (currently she remains my wife), and so were both attorneys. The order was very clear.
My wife proceeded to a lower court with the same demand: alimony. The claim was again dismissed. She then said the judge had been bribed and demanded a third hearing. This accusation w as false. She then sold one of our two properties, against the High Court and paid a considerable bribe to the third judge.
This judge had me taken secretly directly to his chambers in the Court House. There was no proceeding (trial) whatsoever on this occasion. I was then taken directly to the prison by the police. I was declared a “civil debtor.” My wife then occupied our original home and began disposing of our property-nearly all of which was mine. Including my personal possessions, which had considerable value.
I spent exactly six months in prison (the time required for all civil debtors).
While in prisons my weight dropped from my normal 170 lbs. (I’m 6′) to below 100 lbs. I had fainting episodes, white-outs and experienced on occasion severe shaking. The prison “doctor” thought I probably had epilepsy. He was mistaken. It was malnutrition/starvation that was the cause.
I recovered somewhat and left the prison six months later weighing 120 lbs.
Mrs. Donna Blair, Consul General of the US Embassy, Nairobi visited me once after about two months of my confinement… I asked her “How many Americans are currently in Kenya as prisoners. She replied “You are the only one we are aware of, the last one committed suicide about two weeks ago.” I requested in addition to assistance in being released soon as possible, two things. 1) to be sent vitamins and mineral supplements and 2) for the Embassy to establish a definite method of communication, as none existed. I positively confirmed the medicines were sent to my “lawyer”. He never delivered them.
A second visit from the Embassy occurred about two months later. This time the visitor was a Mr. Monster (yes, his real name) I again made the same two requests. explained my medical condition and ask for help. Nothing resulted. The medicine never arrived, I had no further communication as none was possible and I received no more visits or any assistance from the US government.
When I was released I went to my “home” with Mrs. Blair and a police officer from the Embassy. I got my passport. a few pieces of art, some clothing, my bag and checked into the YMCA in Mombasa with the assistance of Mrs. Blair.
As to a bit of background prior to my incarceration: my wife had previously made a very serious attempt on my life badly injuring me. Ultimately, after a long ordeals I succeeded in having her imprisoned. She served four months of the six month sentence. She continued her efforts daily to seize the house and property, relentlessly. The Kenyan police were of no assistance whatsoever.
She is very dangerous and violent personality, a pathological liar and a heroin addict. She and her collection of associates are entirely capable of killing and probably have done so… Were it not for a few very tough friends, among them a British psychiatric nurse who rented our guest house and was present frequently, I doubt I would be alive. Few people had the ability to scare or discourage such a group as my wife and her friends.
I have been as brief as possible. Now, to the matter of what expectations I have concerning the US government: First. I have a power of attorney with my friend in Mombasa which prevents my wife from selling the one remaining property, which we own jointly… Some months ago my wife contacted the Kenyan Embassy in Washington D.C. They wrote to me at different addresses and I spoke to a Mrs. Karago at the Embassy. It was not clear to me exactly what she wanted.
Please be aware of these two fundamental points. 1) Kenya is recognized by Transparency International as one of the three most corrupt countries in the world as of about 2002. I have absolutely no reason to trust anyone-in or out of the government of Kenya. Nothing can be achieved in any direct dealings with them by me, in, or certainly out of Kenya. Nor can any private lawyer achieve anything. I have pursued this, I assure you. So, please do not recommend any such non-solution. It did not (obviously) achieve anything in Kenya and it cannot achieve anything from abroad. 2) Unless the US Embassy is finally willing to step-up and provide a service that I have felt I deserved from the beginning as a US citizen, then I will remain in the same situation as I now find myself.
If you are so keen on redefining torture, then perhaps you might wish to interview some civilians such as myself. Illegal confinement in an African prison, loss of all one’s personal possessions, poor health, loss of two houses (maybe three, unless you act) and surviving the conditions of disease, filth and semi-starvation with no out-side assistance, in my opinion certainly constitutes some form of torture. Only two brief visits in six months! You have now a brief (I assure you) statement of events.
Listed below are the names you will need to proceed.
* Robert Freeman
* Raju Haria
* Kenyan Embassy, Washington, D.C.
* Mrs. Karago
* Phoebe Freeman
* MombasaI expect you to initiate a process which at least will accomplish recovery of a tiny fraction of the losses (material, mental, physical) I have sustained in these events. I hope you give this matter the serious attention that I believe it deserves.
You have spent billions in loans and donations with no apparent benefit to anyone in Kenya or elsewhere as a result.
Do you not have the power to effect remuneration from such a government? Any ordinary citizen faced with what I have experienced would surely expect a satisfactory answer to this question. And more than just an answer-a resolution to the situation as it stands.
l can supply you, at your request further more detailed information regarding this entire affair. If you have any doubt as to the truth of any of my assertions in this communication, doubt not! I expect your urgent attention to be directed to this matter.
Thank you,
Robert Freeman.
Hi. My name is Jon, I am 
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