Russian authorities announced on Tuesday that they had detained two US citizens in unrelated criminal cases. One of them is a serving US soldier. The soldier, identified as Gordon Black, was arrested on Monday in Vladivostok, located in Russia’s Far East. He faces charges of criminal misconduct, specifically theft, according to the regional office of the Interior Ministry.
The Russian Foreign Ministry clarified that there is no political aspect to the case and no allegations of espionage. According to TASS state media agency, the ministry’s Vladivostok branch stated that it appears to be a common criminal matter.
Black is to remain in detention at least until July 2, as ordered by the court, reported RIA news agency. The US Army has been informed of his detention but has not disclosed his identity. However, a US official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the soldier was stationed in South Korea.
The incident involving Black allegedly stems from an argument with a 32-year-old woman, with whom he had met in South Korea. The woman filed a complaint accusing him of stealing money after their altercation in Vladivostok.
Black was apprehended in a local hotel, where he had purchased a plane ticket to return home.
In a separate incident, Moscow’s court service reported that another US citizen, identified as William Russell Nycum, has been detained for ten days for “petty hooliganism”. The court stated that Nycum was found naked outside after consuming alcohol, an act it described as showing disrespect to society, citizens, and public order.
In response to inquiries about the detentions, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Moscow acknowledged being aware of reports regarding US citizens being arrested in Russia.
The embassy assured that consular officers are working to provide appropriate assistance to the detained individuals. However, due to privacy concerns, further details cannot be disclosed.
These incidents mark the latest in a series of criminal cases involving Americans in Russia, which have occasionally held diplomatic implications. Notable cases include the imprisonment of basketball star Brittney Griner on drug charges, from which she was released in a prisoner swap, and the disputed espionage case against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
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