Summary
This Freedom of Information Act request seeks records from the U.S. Department of State concerning the treatment of U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Kelvin Blas by personnel at U.S. Embassy Lomé in Togo. The request seeks the complete American Citizen Services (ACS) case file, records of repeated attempts by Sgt. Blas to obtain assistance, embassy communications, welfare check documentation, and records related to the confiscation of his passport by Togolese authorities.
The request also seeks documentation of the embassy’s response when Sgt. Blas reportedly arrived at the embassy on November 11, 2025 requesting emergency assistance after several days without food, along with internal guidance and decision records related to emergency consular assistance for U.S. citizens in distress.
The request was submitted on December 15, 2025. A tracking number and acknowledgment were not initially issued. The Department of State later acknowledged the request and assigned case number F-2026-10280 after the requester contacted the agency to inquire about missing tracking numbers for several previously submitted requests.
The request also seeks documentation of the embassy’s response when Sgt. Blas reportedly arrived at the embassy on November 11, 2025 requesting emergency assistance after several days without food, along with internal guidance and decision records related to emergency consular assistance for U.S. citizens in distress.
The request was submitted on December 15, 2025. A tracking number and acknowledgment were not initially issued. The Department of State later acknowledged the request and assigned case number F-2026-10280 after the requester contacted the agency to inquire about missing tracking numbers for several previously submitted requests.
Procedural History & Updates
- December 15, 2025 – FOIA request submitted to the Department of State.
- March 4, 2026 – Department of State acknowledged the request and assigned case number F-2026-10280.
- March 4, 2026 – Department placed the request in the complex processing track due to the need to search multiple offices and overseas posts.
- March 4, 2026 – Request for expedited processing denied.
- March 4, 2026 – Fee waiver request denied; requester classified as news media fee category.