A well-known Australian MMA figure reportedly found himself in federal prison following his journey to the United States for a seminar. Renato Subotic encountered significant issues during his trip to the US when immigration authorities prevented his entry into the country.
Taking to social media, Subotic, who has served as a coach for Australia’s national MMA team, shared that he was held in an isolation room for three hours before being transferred to prison.
The issue arose due to an alleged issue with his visa.
‘I arrived in America excited, ready to coach my seminar. It was supposed to be a great trip,’ Subotic wrote on Instagram, recounting the ordeal.
‘Instead, I got stopped at the border.
During the ordeal, Subotic revealed, “Immigration pulled me aside and led me to an isolated room. The questioning officer seemed determined to find faults. Despite providing detailed information about my seminar, my itinerary, and everything else, they scrutinized my reasons for being in the U.S.
Aussie MMA coach Renato Subotic (left) was allegedly detained by immigration officers after travelling to the US (pictured right, UFC star Merab Dvalishvili)
‘They kept me in that room for three hours, asking endless questions, I was collaborative.’
Subotic recounted how the immigration officers had told him there was an error in his documentation and that he’d be going to jail until they had ascertained where he would go after that.
‘No clear explanation, no chance to talk to anyone, no rights. They handcuffed me, put me in a car, and drove me to federal prison,’ he said.
It comes as new US President Donald Trump is cracking down on immigration rules.
The Trump administration has revoked the temporary legal status of more than 500,000 Cuban, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals.
Subotic recounts how the officers had stripped him of all his belongings before escorting him into the prison with just a blanket and a sheet.
‘The moment the door opened, it was chaos,’ he said.
‘Fights between gangs. People screaming. Arguing over food, what to watch on TV, crazy people running around. Madness.’
Subotic recounted how he allegedly got into a fight with another individual who had allegedly tried to steal his stuff.
‘When the guards rushed up, no one said anything. The guard looked at me and said: “You got a good welcome. Keep your head straight, or you’re gonna stay here longer”.’
Subotic revealed that he stayed in prison for multiple days before being taken back to the airport.
‘At the airport, they kept me in a room without telling me when I’d fly. Eventually, I got the info: I was being deported,’ he said.
Subotic revealed that he stayed in prison for multiple days before being taken back to the airport
‘An officer walked me to the plane. Before taking off the handcuffs, he looked at me and said: “I’m sorry this happened to you. They messed up big. It shouldn’t have gone this way”.
‘This whole experience was unreal.
‘It’s insane how easily someone can take away your freedom and lock you in a federal prison, without a clear reason. No explanation. No warning. Just like that, you’re treated like the worst criminal.
‘I believe in respecting the rules. But putting someone in federal prison over a missing detail in a visa application?
The MMA coach had apologised to fans who had been hoping to speak with him during his seminar before stating that he was now back in Australia.
‘I’ll speak with my lawyers something has to be done about the way I was treated. Hope this never happens to nobody else.’
