American Soldier Detained in Russia for 2 Months on Theft Charges

An American soldier named Gordon Black, according to a US official, has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of theft. The Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok has ruled that he will be detained for two months, until July 2.

The court statement said that the US citizen is accused of secretly stealing property from citizen T., which resulted in significant psychological damage.

According to a Russian Foreign Ministry representative who spoke to Russian state media TASS on Tuesday, the case is not connected to politics or espionage.

According to TASS, the representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vladivostok stated that they do not closely monitor the fate of an American citizen involved in what appears to be a purely domestic crime.

The arrest of the American citizen comes amidst heightened tensions between the US and Russia, particularly due to the ongoing war with Ukraine. Currently, there are several Americans being held in Russia, including individuals like Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, who have been declared as wrongfully detained by the US State Department.

The soldier went to Russia on his own while stationed in South Korea, as per a US official. He wasn't AWOL during the trip.

The official mentioned that the soldier was supposed to transfer to Ft. Cavazos in Texas later on, but couldn't specify the exact date of the relocation.

CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann and Kylie Atwood contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The arrest of Gordon Black, an American soldier, in Russia on suspicion of theft has raised concerns amid heightened tensions between the two countries. While Russian authorities have denied political motivations behind the detention, the incident highlights the complex and volatile relationship between the US and Russia. The fact that Black was stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia on his own adds another layer of intrigue to the case.

It is important to note that the US State Department has declared several other Americans currently detained in Russia as wrongfully imprisoned. This raises questions about the fairness of the Russian judicial system and the treatment of American citizens within its borders. The ongoing war in Ukraine has further strained relations between the two countries, and it remains to be seen how this latest incident will impact diplomatic efforts and the fate of those detained.