1998 kidnapping of Mormon missionaries in Saratov, Russia

1998 kidnapping case 1998 kidnapping of Mormon missionaries in Saratov, Russia Saratov, Russia 18 March 1998 – 22 March 1998 Kidnapping Andrew Propst Travis Tuttle Sergei Yemtsov Alexei Shkryabin On March 18, 1998, two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Andrew Lee Propst and Travis Robert Tuttle, were abducted in Russia. One of the kidnappers had a friend invite the missionaries to his apartment in Saratov, where upon entry they were hit in the head, driven to a separate location, and photographed as part of the kidnappers' demand for $300,000.https://apnews.com/a48a4c06afa020bb14f3b5bc9860c26d Report: Ex-Mormon Kidnapped Mormons March 24, 1998 AP News A ransom note was left at the house of a local member of the LDS Church.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russians-abduct-us-missionaries/ Russians Abduct U.S. Missionaries Moulton Kristen March 21, 1998 www.cbsnews.com en-US 2020-03-26 The missionaries were released on March 22Elliott Mark Corrado Sharyl 1999 The 1997 Russian Law on Religion: The Impact on Protestants Religion, State & Society 27 133 10.1080/096374999106773 Tandf Online after four days in captivity, without the ransom being paid.https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/mar/29/fear-and-faith-fueled-kidnapped-missionaries/ Fear And Faith Fueled Kidnapped Missionaries Knowing Ransom Wouldn't Be Paid, Mormons Urged Russian Captors To Embrace God The Spokesman-Review March 29, 1998 www.spokesman.com 2020-03-26 It was the first major incident involving foreign missionaries to occur in the "Russian heartland."Saffron Inga https://www.proquest.com/docview/1842209796 Two Mormon Missionaries Freed in Russia: The Kidnappings Came Six Months After the Country Passed a Law Restricting Small Religions 23 March 1998 Philadelphia Inquirer 31 March 2020 1842209796 Abduction Propst and Tuttle were abducted on Wednesday,https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=24218708&facet_paper=%22Provo+Daily+Herald%22&q=1998+kidnapping+of+missionaries Provo Daily Herald 1998-03-25 Page 1 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 2020-03-26https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/mar/23/mormon-missionaries-released-both-suffered-slight/ Mormon Missionaries Released Both Suffered Slight Injuries; $300,000 Ransom Wasn't Paid The Spokesman-Review March 23, 1998 www.spokesman.com 2020-03-26 March 18, 1998.https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mormon-missionaries-reunite-to-tell-kidnapping-experience_n_1797702 Kidnapped Mormon Missionaries Reunite After 15 Years To Share Experience 2012-08-17 HuffPost en 2020-03-26 They went to the apartment of a 20-year-old man – whom they had previously met at a church meeting – for an appointment to teach him more about their faith.https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/mar/29/fear-and-faith-fueled-kidnapped-missionaries/ Fear And Faith Fueled Kidnapped Missionaries Knowing Ransom Wouldn't Be Paid, Mormons Urged Russian Captors To Embrace God The Spokesman-Review www.spokesman.com 2020-03-26 When they arrived, they were "hit in the head with a metal baton multiple times, handcuffed, and tied up."https://www.deseret.com/2012/8/16/20505887/mormon-missionaries-kidnapped-in-russia-15-years-ago-reunite-to-tell-faith-filled-story Mormon missionaries kidnapped in Russia 15 years ago reunite to tell faith-filled story Leonard Wendy 2012-08-16 Deseret News en 2020-03-26 Their eyes and mouths were taped shut. The kidnappers demanded $300,000 and photocopies of the missionaries' passportshttps://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/1998-03-28/kidnapped-missionaries-safe-two-arrested-127989 Kidnapped missionaries safe; two arrested Dockstader Julie A. 1998-03-28 Church News en-US 2020-03-26 in return for the safe release of Propst and Tuttle, and threatened to kill them if police were notified.https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-03-21-9803210117-story.html Kidnappers in Russia Hold 2 U.S. Mormons March 21, 1998 Chicago Tribune en-US 2020-03-26 When the captors did not call to arrange a meeting as promised in the ransom note, church officials thought that the media coverage had prompted them to kill the missionaries.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-23-mn-31907-story.html Captors Free Kidnapped Mormon Missionaries Paddock Richard C. March 23, 1998 Los Angeles Times en-US 2020-03-26 Captivity Propst and Tuttle were taken to a shed 45 minutes outside of Saratov, Russia, and handcuffed to a coal-fueled radiator so tightly that both suffered nerve damage.https://komonews.com/news/entertainment/new-film-recounts-kidnapping-of-lds-missionaries-11-23-2015 New film recounts kidnapping of LDS missionaries Associated Press 2013-10-25 KOMO 2020-03-27 While in captivity, the two "played word games, practiced Russian grammar and devised a dream team of professional baseball players."Bernstein Maxine https://www.proquest.com/docview/454680204 Mormon Missionary Recalls Kidnapping Ordeal in Russia 10 November 1998 Newshouse News Service Washington 31 March 2020 454680204 They conversed frequently with the younger man who had kidnapped them, with topics ranging from sports to politics to religion; Propst hoped that forging a friendship might later prevent their captor from being able to kill them. Both Propst and Tuttle had read Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends and Influence People and tried using techniques from the book. One of the kidnappers shared his "life story" with the missionaries. Propst later told Idaho Business Review that his captors had been struggling financially, and that that was one of their motivations for kidnapping them.Gonzales Jennifer https://idahobusinessreview.com/2013/10/21/life-lessons-from-kidnapping-translate-into-success-for-meridian-property-management-company-owner/ Life lessons from kidnapping translate into success for Meridian property management company owner 21 October 2013 Idaho Business Review 26 March 2020 They were fed small portions of food once or twice per day and were given dirty water to drink.https://www.ksl.com/article/21739642/once-kidnapped-lds-missionaries-reunite-to-share-story-of-survival Once-kidnapped LDS missionaries reunite to share story of survival www.ksl.com en 2020-03-26 Their eyes remained taped the entire time.https://democratherald.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/andrew-propst-mission-work-worth-the-risk/article_6e7918b2-ed4d-11e3-9e92-0019bb2963f4.html Andrew Propst: Mission work worth the risk Democrat-Hera Jennifer Moody, Albany Albany Democrat Herald 6 June 2014 en 2020-03-26 alt=the city of saratov, Russia|thumb|City of Saratov, Russia Both missionaries escaped with only minor injuries, including soreness from the handcuffs and bumps from being hit in the head. After being released by their kidnappers outside of the city of Saratov, they found a ride back and called police and church officials. They were then brought to the police station and, under the protection of church officials and two American Embassy Consul officers, stayed in Saratov to help police find their kidnappers.https://1997-2001.state.gov/briefings/9803/980323db.html 98/03/23 Daily Press Briefing 1997-2001.state.gov 2020-03-27 The Mission president at the time, Donald Jarvis, stated that no ransom was paid.Landsberg Mitchell https://apnews.com/6532c5115e7c92e3a6afe903a88a952c Russia Kidnappers Free Missionaries 22 March 1998 AP News Both Propst and Tuttle finished their missionary service in England. Government response Multiple U.S. politicians became involved in the case. Representative Merrill Cook of Utah told the Provo Daily Herald that he encouraged "aggressive American involvement in getting these boys back safely."https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=24218388&facet_paper=%22Provo+Daily+Herald%22&q=1998+kidnapping+of+missionaries Provo Daily Herald 1998-03-20 Page 6 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 2020-03-26 The U.S. Department of State called the situation "a grave matter" and did not release details of the kidnapping at the time in order to protect the missionaries.https://www.cnn.com/US/9803/19/briefs.pm/russia.mormon.kidnap/ CNN - 2 Mormon missionaries kidnapped in Russia - March 19, 1998 www.cnn.com 2020-03-26 Senator Bob Bennett commented that the captors were after money and not the LDS church specifically,https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/mar/25/pair-confesses-to-kidnapping-missionaries-mormon/ Pair Confesses To Kidnapping Missionaries Mormon Men To Remain In Russia For Now To Help Police With Case The Spokesman-Review March 25, 1998 www.spokesman.com 2020-03-26 and that he was coordinating efforts between church and government officials on the matter. He also used the opportunity to condemn a recent Russian law restricting minority religions. Senator Gordon H. Smith of Oregon, himself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke with President Bill Clinton on the matter; President Clinton responded that he would help however he could. Four FBI agents were dispatched to Russia, one of which spoke Russian and was experienced in hostage situations. At a briefing, State Department spokesman James B. Foley said that the kidnapping was an "isolated incident," and that U.S. foreign policy with Russia in no way provoked the kidnappers. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told Senator Gordon Smith after the release of the missionaries that the culprits set them free because "the noose was tightening."https://religionnews.com/1998/01/01/news-story-its-a-great-day-for-families-of-freed-mormon-missionaries/ NEWS STORY: 'It's a great day' for families of freed Mormon missionaries 1998-01-01 Religion News Service en-US 2020-03-27 The First Presidency of the LDS church thanked American and Russian officials for their work.https://universe.byu.edu/1998/03/23/lds-missionaries-released/ LDS missionaries released 1998-03-23 The Daily Universe en-US 2020-03-26 The Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) also became involved during the abductionhttps://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=24218499&facet_paper=%22Provo+Daily+Herald%22&q=1998+kidnapping+of+missionaries Provo Daily Herald 1998-03-22 Page 3 newspapers.lib.utah.edu en 2020-03-26 and after, particularly in arresting suspects. Worldwide Television News reported that Governor Dmitry Ayatskov of Saratov Region threatened to extract the remaining LDS missionaries from the region if the $300,000 ransom was paid. Ayatskov continued to say that "in the near future all missionaries, including Mormons, will be asked to find another place for their activities."Whitehouse Tom https://www.proquest.com/docview/245228973 Mormons set free in Russia 23 March 1998 The Guardian 31 March 2020 245228973 Media News coverage News of the kidnapping was broadcast worldwide. American media entities such as The New York Times,Gordon Michael R. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/21/world/2-mormons-from-the-us-are-abducted-in-russia.html 2 Mormons From the U.S. Are Abducted In Russia 1998-03-21 The New York Times 2020-03-26 en-US 0362-4331 the Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and CNN featured the story, along with British news outlets such as BBC Newshttps://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/68320.stm BBC News Europe Kidnapped Mormons freed news.bbc.co.uk 2020-03-27 and The Guardian. The missionaries heard a news report of their kidnapping via radio while in captivity. Film depiction The 2013 film The Saratov Approach told the story of Propst and Tuttle's kidnapping.https://variety.com/2013/film/news/young-mormon-moviegoers-have-faith-in-real-life-pic-saratov-approach-1200752524/ Young Mormon Moviegoers Have Faith in Real-Life Pic 'Saratov Approach' Stewart Andrew 2013-10-23 Variety en 2020-03-31 It was written, directed, and produced by filmmaker Garrett Batty. It featured Corbin Allred as Tuttle, Maclain Nelson as Propst, and Nikita Bogolyubov and Alex Veadov as the kidnappers. It grossed $2,146,999.https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2887322/credits/?ref_=bo_tt_tab#tabs The Saratov Approach Box Office Mojo 2020-03-31 Batty originally had the idea for the film when he first heard news of the kidnapping. He met with Propst and Tuttle, heard their story, and obtained permission from them to make the film. The cast and crew sought to keep the film as close to the true story as possible.https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-13844/ "The Saratov Approach" Breaks Records and Molds LDS Magazine 28 January 2014 2020-03-31 Trial of the kidnappers On March 24, 1998, local police found the woman who called in the ransom demand, as well as a 45-year-old man who assisted in the kidnapping; both confessed to being behind the abductionhttps://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/mar/23/suspects-arrested-in-mormon-missionary-abduction-i/ Suspects arrested in Mormon missionary abduction in Russia - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper 1998-03-23 Las Vegas Sun en 2020-03-26 and were arrested. Russian officials reported that the man had helped establish the LDS Church in Saratov in 1993, but later left the faith.https://www.proquest.com/docview/288795095 Ex-Mormon Accused In the Kidnapping of Missionaries in Russia 25 March 1998 The Salt Lake Tribune 31 March 2020 288795095 In August, Sergei Yemtsov was sentenced to four years in prison. 19-year-old Alexei Shkryabinhttps://www.deseret.com/1998/8/25/19398221/2-convicted-of-kidnapping-missionaries 2 convicted of kidnapping missionaries 1998-08-25 Deseret News en 2020-03-27 received only two years probation. Propst and Tuttle attended the trial, during which the kidnappers were "locked in a steel cage in the corner of the courtroom."https://utahvalley360.com/2013/10/09/the-continuing-story-of-the-real-life-the-saratov-approach-elders/ The continuing story of the real-life 'The Saratov Approach' elders Lane Rebecca 2013-10-09 UtahValley360 en-US 2020-03-26 Yemtsov was proven to be the mastermind behind the operation; Shkryabin was "unaware of [his] intentions until the moment of the abduction."https://www.proquest.com/docview/417592148 Russian Court Convicts Two of Kidnapping 26 August 1998 The Oregonian 31 March 2020 417592148 References See also The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia collapsed * Category:1998 crimes in Russia Category:March 1998 in Russia Category:March 1998 crimes Category:1998 in Christianity Category:Kidnappings in Russia Category:History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Category:Russia–United States relations Category:Kidnapping in the 1990s