A Russian court remanded Trevor Reed’s case to a lower court for review, U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan announced on Tuesday after the proceedings.
Reed, a former U.S. Marine who was arrested nearly three years ago on charges he denies, is one of three Americans, along with Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, currently being detained in Russia.
The Second Court of General Cassation’s decision to remand the case on Tuesday is a disappointment for Sullivan, who said after the proceedings that “justice has again been denied.”
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“Unfortunately, the justice that Trevor deserves has been denied … His appeal was not decided today, the proceedings continue, and Trevor remains in prison for a crime he didn’t commit,” he told reporters after the hearing, according to CNN.
Reed’s health has long been a concern for the ambassador and his family alike, and he is believed to have tuberculosis.
“I am very concerned about his health. We appeal to the Russian government to treat him, to treat his health problems, promptly and tell him how he is being treated so that he can be reassured — he and his family can be reassured — that his health issues are being addressed,” Sullivan said.
“He looked incredibly gaunt in court,” Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for the Reed family, told the Washington Examiner. “It is highly unfortunate his appeal is again delayed because Russian officials can’t get the requisite documents properly in order.“
Reed’s parents, Joey and Paula, said the Russian court’s decision “is yet another attempt to delay the proceedings,” in part because the court didn’t provide their son a copy of the court record in English.
“Trevor made a lengthy statement to the Court today in which he told the three-judge panel that he did not trust any Court in Russia because the case against him has been fabricated, protested that he has not been allowed to call us or the Embassy, and protested his lack of medical treatment,” his parents added in a statement. “Trevor is his own best advocate, and we are incredibly proud of his integrity, his humility, and his eloquence.”
Last weekend, the Reeds were able to “reestablish indirect contact” with their son, according to a statement the day before the court case.
“Tomorrow, Trevor’s appeal is scheduled to be heard at the Second Court of General Cassation in Moscow,” his parents said in a statement. “Trevor’s appeal is strong, and while we have little hope for a successful judicial outcome, we believe it’s important to continue to pursue Trevor’s appeal rights vigorously.”
The Reeds met with President Joe Biden at the White House, where the president “reiterated his commitment to work to secure” Trevor, Whelan, and Griner’s releases last month.
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Joey Reed expressed concern in an interview with the Washington Examiner last month about how Russia’s war in Ukraine could hurt U.S. chances to secure their releases.
