Political asylum 2016
Moscow/Political Asylum
- (Extremely redacted and edited public version)
- See also: Smuggling classified secret cyber documents to Russia
On June 8, 2016, I walked into the main KGB (FSB) building in Moscow and asked for political asylum. I had smuggled a Secret Document from the United States government to Russia which I gave to the KGB (FSB)
Contents
- 1 Actively seeking Russian political asylum (June 2016)
- 2 Contract for political asylum
- 3 Offered to teach English in the United State Embassy (June 16, 2016)
- 4 Timeline
- 5 Events before walking into FSB - getting the attention of the FSB (KGB)
- 5.1 Inquiring about the KGB in first television interview (October 2015)
- 5.2 Threatened to be reported to the FSB by previous employer
- 5.3 American Leftist and former peace hippie states that I should just renounce my citizenship
- 5.4 Walking off the set of Let's Get Married (April 2016) - Asking for political asylum on camera
- 5.5 KGB day celebration (May 28, 2016)
- 5.6 Email to FSB (June 4, 2016)
- 6 Political Prosecution in America
- 7 Notes
- 8 Gallery of select images from above
Actively seeking Russian political asylum (June 2016)
Background
During Stalin's Great Purges. Lubyanka Building (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubyanka_Building) was the main headquarters of the KGB (NKVD). Many prisoners were tortured in the building and executed. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the KGB was renamed the FSB.
In November 2015, Russian activist Petr Pavlensky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petr_Pavlensky set fire to the door of the infamous FSB (KGB) Lubyanka building.
Walking into the infamous FSB (KGB) Lubyanka building (June 8?, 2016)
Security tensions in this infamous building were high by June 2016.
On June 8?, 2016, after trying since arrival in Moscow to get the attention of the Russian intelligentsia, I entered this KGB building unannounced and stated that I wanted political asylum to the guard. The guard said he could not help me.
Amazingly, I was able to just walk out of the building and I was not detained.
Lawyer's office across the street from the FSB (KGB)
- 2018 update: As of 2018, this office location has been closed and has been extensively remodeled.
I walked outside into the beautiful sunlight and immediately noticed a lawyer’s office directly across the street at Furkasovsky Lane, 3 (Фуркасовский переулок, 3). It was a pastel lime green building and had an old Soviet style lawyer's (юрист) sign above it - with no company name. The law offices have many names, including Боярцев и Партнеры and Legal Aid Center. Their site: http://www.urpark.ru
I entered the building and requested a lawyer's consultation.
The secretary took me back to met Akob Edyardovich. There were several men in the office. I told him that I had just walked into FSB (KGB) Lubyanka building, this put everyone in the office in a panic. One man looked out the curtain window at the building across the street. They really were surprised. Akob agreed to help me with political asylum.
Contract for political asylum
Contract for political asylum
On June 8, 2016, Akob Edyardovich drew up a contract. For 500,000 rubles (approximately $8000 at the time) Edyardovich would help me get political asylum. I had read in the Moscow Times that it was impossible for Americans to get political asylum, even for Edward Snowden. But the end goal was not political asylum, the end goal was to put my name out their to those in power and show that I was dedicated completely and wholly to Russia.
I returned with 20,000 Rubles later. In another visit, Akob Edyardovich asked me to renounce my family and my ex-wife. I said no I could not.
I was explicitly warned (threatened) by Akob that I many lawyers like me are killed all the time in Russia.[1]
Akob told me not post any political comments on Facebook or social media. In response, I increased the number of Facebook political comments.
Application for political asylum (June 13, 2016)
This statement which was submitted to four Russian government organizations.
Secret recordings in the KGB/FSB lawyer offices
- 3 Clips (Explained in context in the calendar timeline below).
- 5 clips, 3 audio and 2 video: https://yadi.sk/d/U9zvQjw_7bWfXg
- 2 videos have NOT been uploaded to Youtube yet.
Translators
I had 3 translators that helped me translate with the lawyers office across the street from the FSB:
Vlad
First translator. Vlad is my first court appointed translator I had during my legal case against Language Link |
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Darya (Dasha) Glishanova (Дарья Гришанова)
On July 11, 2016 I told Darya that I was recording the lawyer meetings by email and had her translate what was said in the meeting. Darya was a personal translator for FSB Lawyers. I met her at a meetup. She was the girlfriend on Nick, who I helped come to America. (See Clips below) |
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Наталья Селуянова
A notary translated the information on my family, ex-wife, past political associations, where I once worked, and where I lived before.[2] |
No picture |
Offered to teach English in the United State Embassy (June 16, 2016)
- I am 90% certain that Kathleen Zabelin is working closely with the American Embassy. See 2020 American Embassy scandal#Kathleen Zabelin phone call.
On June 10, one day after I met Akob in the lawyers office across the street from the main FSB building, Kathleen Zabelin contacted me.[3]
Kathleen, an American, of the Moscow University of Finance and Law in the high rises of Capital City.
On June 16, I interviewed to teach with her. The job included teaching in the United States Embassy, Zabelin asked if I felt "comfortable" working at the embassy. Zabelin had been married to a Russian for decades. She said she found my profile on Linkedin. She said there was only one other candidate.
As I wrote on Facebook that day:
- "It is patently absurd that someone who works that close to the American embassy would offer me a job. A cursory look at any of my statements on Russian television, my Facebook posts and the thesis papers on my Linkedin profile would show my feelings about American foreign policy."[4]
Walking in to the FSB a second time
In approximately August of 2016 I walked into the FSB building a second time. This time on a side door facing the bookstores. There was a secretaries desk encased in glass.
Return to America
I returned to America on September 15, 2016.
Timeline
Early April 2016
On the television game show, Let's Get Married as the "hero", see below.
June 2016
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Walked into the main Lubyanka building FSB (KGB) Building. |
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Meet FSB lawyers about political asylum at 1 pm.[5][6] That evening at 7:30 pm I attended the Cherrypie Language Club - TED Talk Discussions with Kate
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Sent emails to places that I worked about potential phone calls from Akob's office[8] Contacted by American with university job[3]
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Second meeting with Akob.[9] Promise of temporary residency.[10]
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(Wrote on private Facebook post: "I just walked in [to the FSB building] last week.")[11]
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Hidden recording |
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Hidden recording
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- August 2016: walked into the FSB building a second time through a second door facing the bookstore
July 2016
- Secret recording in July Dasha (Дарья Гришанова) listened to this tape and translated it for me.
- July 27 meeting with translator Dasha at FSB lawyer.[13]
Events before walking into FSB - getting the attention of the FSB (KGB)
Inquiring about the KGB in first television interview (October 2015)
In October 2015 I was on television for the first time. I secretly audio recorded the entire interview. [ADD LINK] In the audio the staff laugh about me being CIA from the start. At the end of the interview I asked how I can get involved or join the KGB.
Threatened to be reported to the FSB by previous employer
Guided around Lubyanka Building after a party on the last day by two students.
American Leftist and former peace hippie states that I should just renounce my citizenship
On February 10, 2016, Karen Porter a very active peace activist during the Iraq War and fellow lawyer I met in Moscow suggested that I revoke my US citizenship because of my criticism of the United States:
- "The US is far from perfect, but I would never go to a much, much less perfect country [Russia] and shame my country. Despite its flaws, the US is far better than most. Here we can and do feel free to criticize just about everything, but I feel that here is where I do that and not in a place where people can only dream of what happened in New Hampshire last night. Again, I don't go abroad to criticize my country, which is only fodder for some very dangerous interests. I will not be used by those interests and will have the freedom and courage to make my comments where they do good, which is here. I do not go abroad with a mistaken notion that I know how to change things where it is none of my business to do so - I will make change at home, where my voice is appropriate."
- "If you feel so strongly, perhaps you should revoke your US citizenship and apply for Russian citizenship. Sounds like the route for you."
Walking off the set of Let's Get Married (April 2016) - Asking for political asylum on camera
Let's Get Married (Давай поженимся, Davay Pozhenimsya: literally "Let's Marry") is a Russian dating program on Channel One Russia.
KGB day celebration (May 28, 2016)
On May 26, 2016 Alexander Babenko (Александр Бабенко) invited me KGB day at a large park in central Moscow.
I had met Alexander Babenko my first week on a 25 kilometer hike. His English was superb. On a later hike, my friend Alina said how surprised how good his English was, because on previous hikes he acted like his English was not very good. He instantly started to invite me to activities and email me a lot.
That day, I told Alexander Babenko that I wanted to join the FSB (KGB). Alexander told me the same thing that every person said and I already knew: It was impossible as an American to join the KGB. That afternoon, Alexander said that there were two types of KGB, one that worked on the border, and one that was security like the FBI/CIA. I told him that I wanted to learn about political asylum. Alexander would not translate my questions and from my American perspective was being very duplicitous. I went around him and found former and current KGB officers who spoke English to answer my questions.
Email to FSB (June 4, 2016)
Hello, My name is Travis Lee Bailey. I am a 44 year old American Lawyer and English Teacher from Washington DC. I am interested in a Russian Passport and becoming a Russian citizen. I would like to teach Russians marketing, law, international relations, sociology, etc. from an American perspective. I am currently on a business visa but my work visa expired. I want to become a Russian Citizen legally. I would like to seek political asylum. I have been on RENTV twice denouncing America, and I was on Давай поженимся - Let's Get Married with Channel One. moscowamerican.com I have thought about coming to your office often. I walked around the building a few months ago in January with three other people from an English Club. I would like to discuss the issue with someone. If I can set up an appointment with an English speaking person in your office, that would be great. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Sincerely,
20160604224825 |
Political Prosecution in America
Political prosecution:
My lawyer Akob asked me in my interview for political asylum if I had ever been refused a job because of my political beliefs. I answered that I never had directly not been hired for my job to my knowledge, but I was open for years about my political beliefs which showed in my work product and published books, and I had been turned down for numerous positions. Often American companies do not explain why they do not hire a candidate.
I returned to America. In March 2018 I had an interview with DH Group @ 4020 700 E, Murray, UT 84107[14] and gave them a large portfolio of my work product. I accidentally included a copy of the cover of my book. On the back of my published book it states:
- Travis Lee Bailey is an American Lawyer who has lived in the former Soviet Union for four years. After smuggling in secret documents from the United States Strategic Command into Russia, he is currently working towards Russian political Asylum.
In a secretly recorded second interview, they refused to give me the job based on this blurb. (Audio Here)
Notes
- ↑ June 16, 2016 Facebook post
- ↑ Email: Translated my past addresses and past affiliation on July 14, 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 On Fri, Jun 10, 2016 at 4:20 PM, Kathleen Zabelin <kzabelin@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hello Travis,
My name is Kathleen Zabelina. I'm the Director of the Moscow University of Finance and Law Business School. We are currently looking for a native English language instructor, to help us with a training project for one of the corporate clients that we work with. I found your contact details on Linkedin, and based on your profile, though this opportunity might be a good fit for you.
Can you please let me know if you are in Moscow now, and if so, would you be available to get together next week and discuss the opportunity?
Thank you in advance for your reply, and have a great weekend! - ↑ Facebook June 16, 2016 https://www.facebook.com/moscowamerican/posts/275587222795144
- ↑
from: Travis Bailey <travbwork@yahoo.com>
to: pochta@yrpark.ru
date: Fri, Jun 10, 2016 at 4:46 AM
subject: Question for you
mailed-by: yahoo.com
Mr. Akob Edyardovich,
It was a pleasure to meet you and your translator Anna, and the other gentlemen yesterday in your office.
I have some questions about my immigration status.
I am uncertain what I am supposed to say and not to say.
I didn't receive any clear guidance other than to come in on Monday at 15:30 to pick up temporary visa.
I have told people only that I am getting temporary residency on Monday.
Is that okay to say?
I also have gotten a lot of work requests recently in the past two days.
Should I turn them down?
What should I reveal or not reveal?
I figure at this point my movements are being observed.
I just want to do this right.
My number is +7-910-472-11-98
Thank you in advance.
Screenshot: - ↑
date: Thu, Jun 9, 2016 at 2:23 AM
subject: immigration meeting at 1 pm today - ↑
Cherrypie Language Club Meetup
TED Talk Discussions with Kate
Meetup.com pictures: 300px File:ted talk discussion with kate cherrypie club (1).png File:ted talk discussion with kate cherrypie club (2).png - ↑ Fri, Jun 10, 2016 at 4:15 AM teach@anglomania.ru Hello You have received or will receive a call from at attorney at lablyanka metro. I am trying to get residency and permanent residency here in Russia.
- ↑
from: Travis Bailey <travbwork@yahoo.com>
to: pochta@yrpark.ru,
promo.1@mail.ru
date: Mon, Jun 13, 2016 at 10:32 AM
subject: Re: Question for you
mailed-by: yahoo.com
Mr. Akob Edyardovich,
It was a pleasure to again meet with you today, Monday June 13 at your Furkasovskiy pereulok, 3 office.
I just wanted to reiterate what we talked about in our 3:30 pm appointment.
My work immigration status is OK. I can take on more work under my current visa. I can continue to work right now.
I dropped off two visa photos to your office.
We are going to meet:
- this Friday, June 18, 2016 at 2 pm to sign some more documents.
- Also Wednesday July 20, 2016 at 9 am.
Can you please confirm this information is correct by email?
Thank you in advance.
Travis Lee Bailey - this Friday, June 18, 2016 at 2 pm to sign some more documents.
- ↑ date: Fri, Jun 10, 2016 at 6:30 AM subject: Re: Please print or download (2) - including attachment for both 1 and 2 Immigration documents on lublyanka metro Please print or download I have been promised temporary immigration status on Monday at 15:30 - 3:30
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ New time set up:
- ↑ July 27 meeting with translator Dasha at FSB lawyer
- ↑ On March 29, 2018 I took a test at DH Group.