Rep. Ben Cline urges Rubio to designate Chuck Zimmerman as wrongfully detained

Representative Ben Cline has renewed his request to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate Chuck Zimmerman, a former Salem, Virginia, resident, as “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government. This designation would legally define Zimmerman as a political prisoner.

Cline previously joined Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine in a joint request for the designation. The renewed push follows the recent release of Stephen Hubbard, a Michigan man who had been designated as wrongfully detained by the previous administration.

According to the nonprofit group Global Reach, which represents Zimmerman, Russian authorities have indicated they only consider releasing Americans who have received the “wrongfully detained” designation. While the Trump administration has applied this status to Americans in other nations, it has not yet done so for those held in Russia, a move analysts suggest may be linked to efforts to improve bilateral relations.