Renowned Australian MMA coach Renato Subotic endured a harrowing 24-hour ordeal in the United States after arriving for a coaching seminar, only to be handcuffed and placed in a federal prison due to a minor visa application error.
Detained without warning
Subotic, who shared his experience in a detailed Instagram post yesterday, was stopped by immigration officials upon arrival in the US. What should have been a routine entry for his scheduled seminar quickly turned into a nightmare.
“Immigration pulled me aside and took me into an isolated room. The officer interviewing me looked like he was looking for something wrong. It was obvious why I was in the US. I gave them every specific detail about my seminar, my plans, everything,” Subotic claimed in his social media post.
After more than three hours of interrogation, officials informed him of an alleged mistake with his visa and that he would be taken to jail “until they figure out what’s next.” Subotic reported being given no clear explanation, denied his rights, and not allowed to contact anyone.
Prison experience marred by violence and fear
Upon arrival at the federal detention facility, Subotic described a shocking entry process: “They stripped me of everything. Took my clothes, gave me jail clothes, fingerprinted me, took photos, and searched me. Gave me a blanket and sheet.”
The conditions he encountered inside the facility painted a disturbing picture of the American detention system. Placed in a cell with a blood and urine-soaked mattress, Subotic soon found himself in a physical confrontation with other inmates who attempted to steal his belongings.
“We had a fight. I got my stuff back. The other one ran out of the cell, screaming; the people in the nearby cells came to watch what was going on. When the guards rushed up, no one said anything,” he recounted.
Fellow inmates warned him that his attackers were gang-affiliated, placing him at risk of retaliation. In a surprising development, a Venezuelan prisoner recognized Subotic as a fighter and offered protection, introducing him to a Christian prayer group within the facility.
His night in detention was sleepless and fearful. “I couldn’t close my eyes. You heard people screaming. You felt what could be happening in those cells, rape, beatings, worse,” he wrote. “I didn’t trust my cellmate. I didn’t sleep a second.”
Sudden deportation
The following morning, Subotic was abruptly informed of his imminent departure. After a barely edible breakfast and continued intimidation from the inmate he had confronted earlier, he was handcuffed again and transported to the airport for deportation.
At the airport, an officer reportedly apologized to Subotic, acknowledging that “They messed up big. It shouldn’t have gone this way.”
Legal action considered
Now safely back in Australia, Subotic is consulting with attorneys regarding potential legal action over his treatment.
“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,” he stated.
The coach added, “I believe in respecting the rules. But putting someone in federal prison over a missing detail in a visa application? That’s crazy.”
Subotic concluded his post by expressing hope that no one else would have to endure similar treatment, stating his intention to pursue justice: “Now I’m 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 anybody else.”
The incident raises serious questions about detention practices and the treatment of foreign visitors at US borders, even for minor administrative errors.