World News
U.S. Soldier Detained in Russia and Accused of Stealing, Officials Say
(WASHINGTON) — An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, according to two U.S. officials.
U.S. officials said the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to Fort Cavazos in Texas. Instead, officials said he Traveled to Russia.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details.
Cynthia Smith, Army spokeswoman, confirmed that a soldier was detained on Thursday in Vladivostok, a major Military and commercial Pacific port, on charges of criminal misconduct. She said Russia notified the U.S. and the Army told the soldier's family.
“The U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia,” Smith said.
It was unclear Monday if the soldier is considered absent without leave, or AWOL.
The arrest comes less than a year after American soldier Travis King sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas. North Korea later announced that it would expel King, who was returned to the U.S. He was eventually charged with desertion.
Russia is known to be holding a number of Americans in its jails, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, The U.S. government has designated both as wrongfully detained and has been trying to negotiate for their release.
Others detained include Travis Leake, a musician who had been living in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher in Moscow, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.
The soldier's arrest in Russia was first reported by NBC News.
___ Associated Press reporters Matthew Lee and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
-
World News20h ago
French Police Fatally Shoot an Armed Man Suspected of Setting Fire to a Synagogue
-
World News20h ago
Vatican Announces New Norms to Authenticate Claims Like Divine Visions and Weeping Statues
-
World News1d ago
Vladimir Putin’s Pomp-Filled China Trip Underscores the Limits of Western Pressure
-
World News1d ago
3 Australian League Soccer Players Arrested Over Alleged Yellow Card-Fixing Scheme
-
World News1d ago
Pro-Palestinian Student Protesters Celebrated for ‘Moral Clarity’ at ‘The People’s Graduation’
-
World News1d ago
An Australian Billionaire Tried to Suppress an Aboriginal Artist’s Unflattering Portrait of Her. It’s Only Drawn More Attention
-
World News1d ago
How TIME Chose Its Spring 2024 Class of Next Generation Leaders
-
World News1d ago
Dutch Government Veers to Far Right With Newly Formed Coalition Dominated by Wilders