Story perspectives

American Pilots Remain Detained in Guinea After Arrest

2/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two American pilots, Fabio Nicolas Espinal Nunez and Bradley Scott Schlenker, were arrested in Guinea on December 29, 2025, after allegedly violating Guinea's airspace during a fuel stop.
They were flying a Brazilian family from Suriname to Dubai when they were detained.
An appellate court ordered their release, but six weeks of detention continue amid Guinea's history of abuses.
Lauren Stevenson, the pilots' fiancée, expressed frustration about the ongoing detention.

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Story summary

Two American pilots, Fabio Nicolas Espinal Nunez and Bradley Scott Schlenker, were arrested in Guinea on December 29, 2025, after allegedly violating Guinea's airspace during a fuel stop.
They were flying a Brazilian family from Suriname to Dubai when they were detained.
An appellate court ordered their release, but six weeks of detention continue amid Guinea's history of abuses.
Lauren Stevenson, the pilots' fiancée, expressed frustration about the ongoing detention.