June 2026 marked four years since Olga Jezler, a U.S. legal permanent resident (LPR) and entrepreneur, was wrongfully detained in Russia. Olga moved to the United States in 2016, fell in love with U.S. citizen Harold Jezler, and the two were married in 2019. Soon after, Olga’s only sibling was diagnosed with breast cancer. Olga began traveling to Russia to care for her sister and young niece.
Russia’s Hostage Diplomacy
It was during one of these trips that her situation changed dramatically. In June 2022, when she arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, Olga declared that she was bringing vitamins, supplements, and CBD oil capsules for her sister, as she had done on past trips. On past trips, border guards inspected the items and allowed her to enter without issue. The same occurred on this trip—Olga was allowed to leave the airport, only to be summoned back three days later, arrested, and falsely charged with drug trafficking. CBD capsules were legal in Russia at the time and remains legal today. Olga’s arrest came four months after President Vladmir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, a low point in U.S.-Russia relations. Her arrest also coincided with the detention of other Americans—including Andre Khachatoorian, David Barnes, and Robert Gilman—on spurious charges in the lead up to the invasion.
U.S. Response
Olga’s arrest, along with those of Andre, David, and Robert, is characterized by abnormalities and overreach by the Russian legal system. These are political cases that require a political solution from the U.S. government. Despite meeting Levinson Act wrongful detention designation factors, none of these Americans has been formally designated as such by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Because of the lack of transparency in the State Department’s designation process, families are not told why their loved one is not designated and the State Department does not routinely consult with families to ensure a full understanding of the facts or to seek additional information. Based on our research, we assess that bilateral concerns are overriding the facts in these cases. Olga and the others qualify as wrongfully detained under the law.
Olga Must Be Designated as Wrongfully Detained
Wrongful detention designation is not symbolic; it has tangible benefits for both families and those unjustly held. Lack of designation has not deterred Russia from detaining other Americans. Just last year, Russian authorities unjustly detained Alexsandr Antonov and Chuck Zimmerman—two American citizens who also meet the criteria for designation. Designation is especially important in Olga’s case, because she is an LPR. The Bureau of Consular Affairs does not oversee non-citizen cases and has not visited Olga once since her unjust detention. Secretary Rubio should designate Olga as wrongfully detained and take the necessary steps to bring her home.
