US soldier detained in Russia on fees of felony misconduct, including to strained relations.
A United States soldier has been detained in Vladivostok on fees of theft in Russia’s newest high-profile detention of an American.
Russia’s RIA state information company reported on Tuesday that the soldier, recognized by the court docket as Gordon Black, can be detained till July 2.
Talking on situation of anonymity, US officers advised the Related Press information company that the soldier, Employees Sergeant Gordon Black, 34, who’s married, was stationed in South Korea and was within the technique of returning dwelling to Texas.
As a substitute, they mentioned he travelled to Russia to see a longtime girlfriend.
One other US official, additionally talking on situation of anonymity, advised the Reuters information company Black was accused of stealing from a girl.
The soldier’s arrest is more likely to additional complicate relations between the US and Russia, which have grown more and more tense because the warfare in Ukraine has dragged on.
Cynthia Smith, a spokeswoman for the US Military, confirmed {that a} soldier had been detained on Thursday in Vladivostok, a serious Pacific port, on fees of felony misconduct. She mentioned Russia notified the US and the Military advised the soldier’s household.
“The US Division of State is offering acceptable consular help to the soldier in Russia,” Smith mentioned.
The soldier’s arrest was first reported by NBC Information.
‘Wrongfully detained’
President Joe Biden’s administration has been lobbying Moscow to launch a number of Individuals, together with Wall Road Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Gershkovich, 32, grew to become the primary US journalist arrested on spying fees in Russia for the reason that Chilly Struggle when he was detained by the Federal Safety Service (FSB) on March 29 final yr. He, his newspaper and the US authorities all deny he’s a spy.
Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, an American convicted of spying in opposition to Russia and sentenced to 16 years in 2020, have each been designated by the US State Division as “wrongfully detained”, which means Washington considers the fees in opposition to them bogus and is dedicated to working for his or her launch.
Requested in regards to the soldier’s detention, a US State Division spokesperson confirmed solely that “a US citizen has been detained in Russia”.
“We reiterate our robust warnings in regards to the hazard posed to US residents contained in the Russian Federation. US residents residing or travelling in Russia ought to depart instantly, as acknowledged in our Journey Advisory for Russia,” the State Division spokesperson mentioned.
“Because of privateness and different issues we’ve no additional particulars to offer presently.”
The arrest comes lower than a yr after American soldier Travis King sprinted into North Korea throughout the closely fortified border between the Koreas. North Korea later introduced that it might expel King, who was returned to the US. He was finally charged with desertion.
