OT: Sticky Situation

[League Circles]

Guardians just said they are giving it to my grandfather, the one who threatened me and hes coming April 9.

I told them to give it to me or to my aunt (another fam friend) whos the principal here and they said if they are free they will give.

also this aunt said today that she won't let me leave the institution

I wouldn't bother with any of these people anymore. If you cannot physically go to the US Embassy (like, they will physically apprehend you if you try to leave), then call or have one of us call or email the Embassy to let them know that a US citizen is being held captive against his will. It's pretty simple. It might not seem like it to you but it truly is.

I have no means for a plane ticket and if the embassy pays, I have no place to stay in us... that's why I'm worried.

You can probably get a job and an apartment within one week of returning to the US. Try staying with a friend or at a shelter until then if your family won't take you in.

also im scared of the weed texts in the old phone, I don't want to go to jail. the old phone was registered under my moms name and she paid for the service. they took the phone fron me when i was 18 though.

You don't go to jail for anything remotely like that. The police would laugh pretty hard if some parents tried to show them an old cell phone text indicating that a teenager smoked weed. First of all they just wouldn't care to pursue it. Second, even if they did, there's very likely no conclusive evidence that you smoked weed. Third, no one gives a **** when teenagers or anyone else smokes weed. The president of the United States admits to smoking weed and doing cocaine in the past. He published it in his book.

Do you literally have no money? No offense, but don't ever go anywhere without any money. It sounds like you've made the mistake of unnecessarily giving an enormous amount of power to total strangers. No one else should ever have your passport, your money, etc.

Also, go to college before you go to medical school. The entire situation sounds extremely shady. I'm sorry you're going through it but you'll be better for it I'm sure.

[League Circles]

BTW, if the people at this place are truly willing to force you to stay physically, they are most likely planning to keep you captive for the rest of your life to provide medical care in a place that is short on doctors or for people who cannot seek legit medical care like terrorists.

No offense, but you are probably either unjustifiably scared and in fact they will let you walk out, OR, you are being way too casual and patient with some people that are probably going to keep you a prisoner for the next 50 years while you practice medicine for their benefit. The middle scenario doesn't seem logical to me. I don't see why or how they would expect to kidnap you for several years, force you to become educated in medicine, and then let you graduate and go live happily ever after in the US.

So either you're mistaken, and you can walk out right now, or you're not, in which case you need to contact the U.S. authorities immediately. You mentioned that the Embassy said they couldn't do anything in response to your suicidal thoughts. That's likely true, but totally unimportant if you're correct that they won't let you leave.

All that matters is that you are a U.S. citizen and some alleged educators (actually terrorists most likely) are holding you as a captive prisoner.

How do you know that they won't let you leave? I'm guessing it's just a curfew rule, and that they won't physically apprehend you if you walk out. If it is just a curfew rule, just take the clothes on your back and whatever valuables you may have and walk out. If you have enough money to take a taxi to the US Embassy you should be OK. Of course, if they let you out, then they're not holding you by force...

[MalikJoakim24]

I wouldn't bother with any of these people anymore. If you cannot physically go to the US Embassy (like, they will physically apprehend you if you try to leave), then call or have one of us call or email the Embassy to let them know that a US citizen is being held captive against his will. It's pretty simple. It might not seem like it to you but it truly is.

Thats the problem, they physically won't let me leave campus until the 12th of April (every second Saturday of the month we can leave).

You don't go to jail for anything remotely like that. The police would laugh pretty hard if some parents tried to show them an old cell phone text indicating that a teenager smoked weed. First of all they just wouldn't care to pursue it. Second, even if they did, there's very likely no conclusive evidence that you smoked weed. Third, no one gives a **** when teenagers or anyone else smokes weed. The president of the United States admits to smoking weed and doing cocaine in the past. He published it in his book.

Yeah that's why I worried because I heard so many stories of the police reading people's phones and then they are basically screwed.

Do you literally have no money? No offense, but don't ever go anywhere without any money. It sounds like you've made the mistake of unnecessarily giving an enormous amount of power to total strangers. No one else should ever have your passport, your money, etc.

I have 200 usd - need like 1k for a plane ticket and yes I made a huge mistake of giving my passports to someone else.

I asked my parents for money but they said my local guardians would give it, well I have no local guardians anymore.

BTW, if the people at this place are truly willing to force you to stay physically, they are most likely planning to keep you captive for the rest of your life to provide medical care in a place that is short on doctors or for people who cannot seek legit medical care like
terrorists.

The Institute has paid off the local police and my dads old college friend is one of the more powerful politicians of the area.

They physically stop us - I've seen it happen to a kid. The best way I can describe the security at the main gate is the us-mexico border. They have so many security, plus the gate is like 10 feet high with barb wire and its always closed and opens only on second saturday or for staff.

How do you know that they won't let you leave? I'm guessing it's just a curfew rule, and that they won't physically apprehend you if you walk out. If it is just a curfew rule, just take the clothes on your back and whatever valuables you may have and walk out. If you have enough money to take a taxi to the US Embassy you should be OK. Of course, if they let you out, then they're not holding you by force...

I saw a kid at night trying to go out and they physically stopped him.
He was trying to go to the town to buy some good food because they force us to stay on campus (closed campus, everyone has to reside in the dorm, which is also on campus unless its a second Saturday when we have the right to leave. They have a store and a diningbhall for food.

[League Circles]

OK well when you get your ticket from your parents to come home for Easter, if you get it, arrange your own transportation to the airport to avoid getting kidnapped. Pay for your own taxi. Don't go with anyone arranged by your parents, your grandparents, the school, or the guardians. If you can't get a plane ticket from your parents, record the conversation and go to the Embassy. They will loan you the money to get home. I can't stress enough how little anyone cares about the weed thing. What do you mean you've heard many stories of the police reading people's phones and then they are screwed? I've never heard of such a thing.

[bearadonisdna]

Yeah man there is no way that is worse than prison plus it sound like u have a short sentence so there is plenty of life ahead of u. Arent u the guys whos family gas station was robbed? Man been a tough year or so bro.
So if u dont return you cant apply to colleges? So u can leave and come back apply to colleges and then leave again if u really would waste a year but dont want to.
Why not work for ur families gas station for a year? Maybe ur parents wanted u safe because of the scary situation there. Maybe thinks u were targeted?
Suicide is really serious adding u as a friend bro. Good luck.
As far as the frustration of not being able to watch the bulls man i have to real answer how to quell that. My quality and satisfaction of life is also affected when i want to watch the bulls and cant.

[weakside]

BTW, if the people at this place are truly willing to force you to stay physically, they are most likely planning to keep you captive for the rest of your life to provide medical care in a place that is short on doctors or for people who cannot seek legit medical care like terrorists.

No offense, but you are probably either unjustifiably scared and in fact they will let you walk out, OR, you are being way too casual and patient with some people that are probably going to keep you a prisoner for the next 50 years while you practice medicine for their benefit. The middle scenario doesn't seem logical to me. I don't see why or how they would expect to kidnap you for several years, force you to become educated in medicine, and then let you graduate and go live happily ever after in the US.

This might sound dumb, but that could be more of a cultural thing. Not knowing anything about the OPs cultural background, it doesn't appear impossible that parents can decide who their kids will marry or have a tight grip on them until they are done with their education. You might be right, but the terrorist thing doesn't appear all that probable to me, personally.

I can't speak for US Embassies, but the guy that taught me international law is now member of the German Supreme Court, and the things that a German Embassy may do for me and it legally has to do for me are very far apart.

They don't take interfering with a family and a foreign culture lightly. I'm not saying you don't have a good point to want out, just don't be surprised if you have quite a bit of convincing to do.

Since you have contacted them before, I'd recommend explaining your situation and how you got there in detail beforehand and find out what your options are before just bailing. If you can convince them that you were basically pushed on the plane and had no choice but going that will be way different than you sorta liked the idea in the begining but now you don't like it anymore.

If you can, get at least some funds or find friends that would help towards a ticket.

If your emails with the Embassy don't look like that's a way out, and I hatte to say it, it might be best to bite your tongue and play nice with your family as good as you can. That might be the more promising way home, even if you have to be patient.

[bearadonisdna]

OK well when you get your ticket from your parents to come home for Easter, if you get it, arrange your own transportation to the airport to avoid getting kidnapped. Pay for your own taxi. Don't go with anyone arranged by your parents, your grandparents, the school, or the guardians. If you can't get a plane ticket from your parents, record the conversation and go to the Embassy. They will loan you the money to get home. I can't stress enough how little anyone cares about the weed thing. What do you mean you've heard many stories of the police reading people's phones and then they are screwed? I've never heard of such a thing.

If he is recording conversations they may think he is a spy and be imprisoned.
Yes the weed thing would not be important to authorities and i doubt ur parents would look to have u imprisoned with no physical evidence other than here say. Thats not to say you havent been found guilty by them.
Hey, maybe all u need to do is transfer.
Looks like u will be getting out after the semester for easter or whatever but u have to get out of there. mayube not to the US but out of that damn school.

[League Circles]

OK well when you get your ticket from your parents to come home for Easter, if you get it, arrange your own transportation to the airport to avoid getting kidnapped. Pay for your own taxi. Don't go with anyone arranged by your parents, your grandparents, the school, or the guardians. If you can't get a plane ticket from your parents, record the conversation and go to the Embassy. They will loan you the money to get home. I can't stress enough how little anyone cares about the weed thing. What do you mean you've heard many stories of the police reading people's phones and then they are screwed? I've never heard of such a thing.

If he is recording conversations they may think he is a spy and be imprisoned.
Yes the weed thing would not be important to authorities and i doubt ur parents would look to have u imprisoned with no physical evidence other than here say. Thats not to say you havent been found guilty by them.
Hey, maybe all u need to do is transfer.
Looks like u will be getting out after the semester for easter or whatever but u have to get out of there. mayube not to the US but out of that damn school.

The US Embassy will think he's a spy and imprison him (where?) because he recorded his family members threatening to have him kidnapped????

Why is imprisonment for possession of marijuana being discussed seriously?

To me it looks like the only option is to return to the US and start a new life. If your parents want to act like normal human beings and help you start that new life, great. If not, that is sad but it shouldn't stop you from changing your life in the way you need to.

[MalikJoakim24]

OK well when you get your ticket from your parents to come home for Easter, if you get it, arrange your own transportation to the airport to avoid getting kidnapped. Pay for your own taxi. Don't go with anyone arranged by your parents, your grandparents, the school, or the guardians. If you can't get a plane ticket from your parents, record the conversation and go to the Embassy. They will loan you the money to get home. I can't stress enough how little anyone cares about the weed thing. What do you mean you've heard many stories of the police reading people's phones and then they are screwed? I've never heard of such a thing.

ill know by the 12th if I get a ticket from my parents, or if I dont im going to the embassy.

I'm going with my friend here.

my grandfather the one who threatened me is coming this week or the next week... I'm going to audio+video record him, do I have to say im recording before I start?

just read stories aboutbpeople being caught with weed and thebpolcie would take thebphone and read it

Arent u the guys whos family gas station was robbed? Man been a tough year or so bro.
Suicide is really serious adding u as a friend bro. Good luck.
As far as the frustration of not being able to watch the bulls man i have to real answer how to quell that. My quality and satisfaction of life is also affected when i want to watch the bulls and cant.

Yeah man scariest thing in my life being held at gunpoint happened July 22.

If I go back now to the states, I can probably apply to colleges and start this year itself. If I go in august, I'd have to waste another year to go.

The US Embassy will think he's a spy and imprison him (where?) because he recorded his family members threatening to have him kidnapped????

Why is imprisonment for possession of marijuana being discussed seriously?

To me it looks like the only option is to return to the US and start a new life. If your parents want to act like normal human beings and help you start that new life, great. If not, that is sad but it shouldn't stop you from changing your life in the way you need to.

I thought recording phone calls is illegal - I recorded it for my safety so not sure if it will hold up in court. My dad's like its illegal to record phone calls when ibrecorded my parents ans grandparents.


THANK you everyone for your support and advice; I really appreciate it

[Keller61]

If I were you, I would just go along with everything until that day that you can leave, and then get the hell out. If you have to lie and pretend that you're doing fine until then, do it. Get to the embassy and figure things out from there. Don't worry about what your family says or about the weed thing. Like people have said, it's extremely unlikely that the cops will give a damn. Even if they do, and you are somehow found guilty, I doubt you would face serious jail time. It would probably be community service or something like that, which to me sounds a lot more appealing than your current situation.

If your parents love you, they will come around. Not to sound demeaning or anything, but at 19 you are far from a fully mature adult and it can be hard to act for yourself (I'm 22 and I think I've gotten more mature since I was 19, though I'm sure I still have some maturing left to do). Try to think of yourself as your own man and not a kid under the control of your parents. Talk to the people at the embassy and don't be afraid to tell them everything. Seek out more help if you need to when you get back to the U.S. If what you say about your grandparents is true, then you should probably contact the FBI.

At least that's what I would do based on how you describe your situation. Keep your spirits up and know that you will eventually find a great life for yourself, whether it includes your family or not. You will get through this difficult stage.

That's if all of this is true. I'm beginning to wonder if you might just be doing a psychology experiment on us or something.

[MalikJoakim24]

If I were you, I would just go along with everything until that day that you can leave, and then get the hell out. If you have to lie and pretend that you're doing fine until then, do it.

Yeah I'm doing that now. If they don't give me a ticket on the 12th, I'm going straight to the embassy.

If what you say about your grandparents is true, then you should probably contact the FBI.

I have the phone recording of it, my grandfather said it.

At least that's what I would do based on how you describe your situation. Keep your spirits up and know that you will eventually find a great life for yourself, whether it includes your family or not. You will get through this difficult stage.

Yeah, I'm done moping around. I just got movies transferred from my friend and been enjoying life a lot more now.

That's if all of this is true. I'm beginning to suspect you might just be doing a psychology experiment on us or something.

I wish it was a psychology experiment, unfortunately it's my reality. I've had a bad 8 months.

[kyrv]

Thanks for the update. Definitely sounds like you have the best plan.

I can't say if you should stay or try to flee. If the police are not 100% honest and if they have used phone texts, I would leave ASAP.

I watch a show on cable called Locked Up Abroad. As much as your situation is being imprisoned to a degree, as others have said, really being in jail is another level of hell entirely.

I mean if the texts are something like, you have a bong in your car and could go to jail, if that's a legit risk, I would try to get out. Obviously money is an issue for the ticket.

But sounds like the powers in that area are in cahoots (we don't see that word enough). If so they control everything. If you think it's reasonable to assume if you 'play nice' you will be okay, definitely an option. Myself at that age I would have tried to leave - but that doesn't mean it's the right call, or right call for you.

You are 19 and should not be under this control. Man I think we will all breathe easier when you touch down in the good old US of A.

[will]

Damn son, don't off yourself or do anything drastic. Thought this was going to be some funny thread.

Real talk, I would say grind it out for however long this course or program is. Best believe, once you complete it you will come out a stronger person with a better perspective gained on life in general. Life itself ain't always going to be puppies and rainbows. Keep your head up my dude!

[HomoSapien]

If you've got recordings saying that you'll be kidnapped, isnt' that enough to show that you're being held against your will there?

[kyrv]

If you've got recordings saying that you'll be kidnapped, isnt' that enough to show that you're being held against your will there?

For the embassy, hopefully, but sounds like other than the embassy the powers that be are going to be against him.

I have no idea what the embassy policy would be in those situations. I would like to think if I was in another country and had a recording threatening kidnapping and my passport is stolen (well they won't return it, same as stealing in effect), that the embassy would get me out of there. But...don't know.

[BeatDaCavs420]

Wow this seems like something from a movie

So sorry you have to deal with this man all I can say is keep your head up and stay strong!!

[Eduardo]

Can a mod check his IP and see if he is not in the United States? This story is straight outlandish.


I mean, they are as secure as you say, but they don't monitor internet whatsoever? They don't check your history? Yet, in the 1st post you say you can't say the country name or they will find out.


So if you say the name of your country, they might find out, but they can't find out when you post a story of what they are exactly doing to you and when breaks are. How the hell would they find out if they can't check your history? This sounds like BS to me.

[dumbell78]

This reads like Pakistan is the country. I have read of similar stories in the past.

[MalikJoakim24]

Thanks for the update. Definitely sounds like you have the best plan.

I can't say if you should stay or try to flee. If the police are not 100% honest and if they have used phone texts, I would leave ASAP.

I did some further research and in Illinois state law is a one party consent state but I don't know the international recording law.

If you've got recordings saying that you'll be kidnapped, isnt' that enough to show that you're being held against your will there?

Illinois is a one party consent recording state but I don't know if it applies internationally or if I can use it legally as evidence without getting myself in troublw for illegally recording.

Can a mod check his IP and see if he is not in the United States? This story is straight outlandish.

Im from Chicago but currently overseas. I'm from a country that blocks skype (that's the hint) but I use a proxy of another country to bypass the block on skype.

This institution in this country is the only place among med schools at least that has these restrictions so it would out be easy to find out.

Gar was correct with his guess.

[kyrv]

Well sounds like you are giving it the right amount of thought, and also trying to get by each day as best you can, so whatever you decide won't be rash. Again best of luck.