The seizure of the passport of an college pupil of Iowa whereas underneath investigation within the Dominican Republic is a warning story for People who journey overseas, whom an knowledgeable stated he needs to be attentive to guard his journey paperwork.
Final month, the passport and mobile phone of Joshua Riibe, 22, have been confiscated when the researchers tried to rebuild the final moments of Sudiksha Konanki. Lodge’s surveillance photos revealed that Riibe was one of many final folks to see Konanki alive earlier than Pittsburgh College disappeared on a seaside in Punta Cana after an evening of ingesting with mates.
After the disappearance of Konanki, Riibe, who the authorities stated they have been by no means suspicious, was hidden throughout the Riu Republic Lodge underneath the surveillance of native authorities.
Riibe, a pupil at St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, remained within the Dominican Republic, unable to journey again to America, for about two weeks earlier than with the ability to return residence.
The disappearance of the American college pupil Sudiksha Konanki within the Dominican Republic: Timeline
Joshua Riibe arrives at a courtroom of the Dominican Republic on March 18, 2025. (Fox Information Digital)
The excessive profile debacle reached a essential level inside a Dominican courtroom room, whereas Riibe sat subsequent to his father and a translator whereas the attorneys mentioned the situations of detention of the Lodge room in Riibe. The issue surrounding Riibe’s return was scheduled for a later date, which probably compelled Riibe to stay within the nation for a second look in courtroom.
“Since my passport was taken, it is extremely uncommon that it’s alone,” Riibe testified earlier than a Dominican choose. He later added: “I am unable to go wherever. I actually wish to be at residence. I hug my household and mates.”
Whereas Riibe’s attorneys had stated that his passport was confiscated, prosecutors argued that he misplaced it.
After the preliminary judicial procedures, Riibe was in a position to get hold of a provisional passport of the USA Consulate within the Dominican Republic.
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Sudiksha Konanki disappeared from a seaside in Punta Cana within the early hours of March 6. (Sheriff’s Workplace of Fox Information Digital/Loudoun County)
On March 19, Riibe approached a Jetblue flight from Santo Domingo to San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking the top of his nightmare overseas. Nonetheless, Riibe’s escape hit a short inconvenience when he was held in Puerto Rico on the brand new passport that isn’t stamping correctly, Noticcentro reported.
Final week, a Dominican choose didn’t formally shut the case of Riibe, granting habeas corpus movement introduced within the identify of the important thing witness.
“On March 18, after the conclusion of the Habeas Corpus listening to that ordered the discharge of our consumer, Joshua Riibe, the Workplace of the Administration of the Altagracia knowledgeable him about his preparation to return his passport,” Riibe’s attorneys stated. “Whereas Joshua appreciated this resolution, he selected, for privateness causes, to request a brand new passport at the USA Consulate, which was rapidly issued.”
Though Riibe was in a position to get hold of a alternative passport after which return residence, his expertise serves as a warning for People who will be requested to ship their passport for a large number of causes whereas they’re abroad.
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Native authorities are in search of the US pupil. Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Konanki, 20, was final seen on March 6 on a seaside exterior the Riu 5 Star Republic Advanced within the Dominican Republic. (Santiago Baez for Fox Information Digital)
Vacationers will be requested to lose their passport or different identification paperwork by international regulation or as a assure whereas having fun with an tour, in accordance with Kate Gladdin, a world journey safety knowledgeable.
“The truth is that there are some dangerous fruits that see vacationers and may get in a short time [them] In a weak place as a result of they don’t have their authorities, “Gladdin informed Fox Information Digital.
“One factor I can say, utterly, isn’t to ship your passport as a type of deposit,” Gaddin stated. “There are tales during which they’re like, ‘Oh, do you wish to rent this water motorbike? Okay, can we take your passport simply as a deposit that you’ll return.’ [do it]. Put it in your secure and depart it there till [the end of your trip]”
The chance of dropping identification paperwork is an issue that hits close to residence for Gladdin.
In 2012, Gladdin’s sister, Nicole Fitzsimons, was killed in a bike accident whereas she was on trip in Thailand together with her boyfriend, Jamie Keith.
Fitzsimons, 24, rode behind the bicycle when a driver who rode on the improper facet of the highway received into the couple’s automobile.
“She [was rushed] In surgical procedure, “Gladdin informed Fox Information Digital.” We had all our hearts, fingers and fingers that was going to be fantastic, however sadly we misplaced it in that surgical procedure. ”
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Nicole Fitzsimons and Jamie Keith pose for a photograph whereas visiting Thailand in 2012. (Courtesy of Kate Gladdin)
However the demise of Fitzsimons was not the top of the nightmare for the troubled household.
Keith’s Australian passport was seized by Thai authorities, which lastly prevented him from going because the investigation remained ongoing.
“Sadly, the police tried to see him otherwise and put us in a very uncomfortable, arduous and difficult scenario during which they took Jamie’s passport,” Gladdin stated. “There was no justice in Nicole’s demise.”
Gaddin additionally means that vacationers carry copies of their identification paperwork, in case their belongings are misplaced or stolen.
“Every nation is totally different,” Gaddin stated. “It’s essential to take your security in your individual arms, as a result of the principles could not all the time be there. However with out these guidelines, we’ve got no safety.”
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Nicole Fitzsimons and Kate Gladdin pose for a photograph at her brother’s wedding ceremony in 2011. (Courtesy of Kate Gladdin)
The household’s combat to take Keith residence, whereas coping with the demise of Fitzsimons, led Gladdin on a method to educate dad and mom easy methods to instill journey security habits of their households.
“Touring is among the most revealed issues we are able to do,” Gaddin stated. “However assist them make educated choices. I’m not in opposition to touring, however I’m via educated journeys.”
Gaddin additionally factors to oldsters in direction of federal assets aimed toward preserving the People secure whereas touring overseas. The State Division Good Vacationers Registration Program It offers vacationers with the chance to register their journeys with the federal government, in case one thing goes improper.
“[Officials] You’ll be able to rapidly replace and call you with respect to any safety or security info, both like an imminent cyclone or a terrorist risk, which have to get it out of a rustic rapidly, if you already know it’s there, “Gladdin stated.
Fox Information Digital contacted the State Division to remark.
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Gaddin’s ardour for the protection of journey and oldsters’ training was born from the tragedy, however insists that it doesn’t must be so for different households.
“Mendacity on my sister’s closet, selecting her funeral gown as an alternative of serving to to decide on her wedding ceremony gown, there are not any constructive ones in that,” Gladdin informed Fox Information Digital. “I believe that discovering a objective in what you might be taking place, [by] lean in direction of the issues round you and [finding] What you are able to do to assist clear up them. My household created a objective in Nicole’s demise by observing the issue of journey safety and doing all the pieces potential to unravel it. “
Michael Ruiz and Greg Wehner of Fox Information Digital contributed to this report.