A US soldier, Gordon Black, has had his appeal rejected by a Russian court and will remain imprisoned for three years and nine months. Black was arrested in Vladivostok in May 2023 after an argument with a Russian woman he met online. He was charged with theft and making death threats, but maintains his innocence regarding the threats.
A US soldier, Gordon Black, has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty of stealing money from his girlfriend and making threats against her. The case highlights the complexities of international relationships and the potential legal repercussions for US military personnel traveling to Russia without authorization.
An American soldier was detained in Russia on charges of “criminal misconduct,” the US Army confirmed on Monday. The soldier’s name has not been released. The US State Department is providing consular support to the soldier. Russia notified the US of the detention, and the Army notified the soldier’s family. The soldier’s detention adds to the number of Americans held in Russia amid tensions between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine invasion. Other Americans detained in Russia include Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, who is accused of espionage. The US government, Gershkovich, and his employer deny the charges.
