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The decision expands the listing of US residents detained in Russia, as Moscow says it awaits response to prisoner swap proposals.
A Russian court docket has jailed a US soldier as Moscow mentioned it’s ready for Washington’s response to prisoner swap proposals.
Vladivostok’s Pervomaiski Courtroom on Wednesday sentenced US Employees Sergeant Gordon Black to a few years and 9 months in a penal colony for stealing $113 from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her, state-owned TASS and Sputnik mentioned.
The conviction provides to the listing of US residents imprisoned in Russia because of the deterioration of relations following the invasion of Ukraine. A senior official mentioned on the identical day that Moscow is ready for Washington to answer its newest prisoner swap proposals.
‘Their drawback’
Russia holds at the least a dozen Americans in jail, together with company safety director Paul Whelan, musician Travis Leake – arrested final 12 months on drug-related fees – trainer Marc Fogel – sentenced to 14 years in jail, additionally on drug fees – and double nationwide Ksenia Khavana.
On Tuesday, a court docket rejected the attraction of one other twin passport holder, Alsu Kurmasheva, towards the extension of her pre-trial detention. The Radio Free Europe journalist was arrested eight months in the past and accused of spreading “false data” in regards to the navy.
Wall Road Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will go on trial behind closed doorways on Tuesday on espionage fees, which he has denied.
President Vladimir Putin mentioned in February that talks on a prisoner swap involving the journalist had been underway, however the Kremlin didn’t present particulars on the progress of the negotiations.
“The ball is within the court docket of the US, we’re ready for them to answer the concepts offered to them,” Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov instructed state information company TASS.
“They’re well-known to the related elements of the US authorities. I perceive that one thing about these concepts might not swimsuit Individuals. That’s their drawback,” he added.
Wall Road Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom on the First Appeals Courtroom of Basic Jurisdiction in Moscow, Russia, on April 23, 2024 (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Picture)
‘Irresistible affair’
Thirty-four-year-old Black was arrested final month within the Pacific port metropolis of Vladivostok, the place he was visiting his Russian girlfriend Alexandra Vashuk.
Vashuk accused Black of stealing 10,000 rubles ($113) and threatening her. The soldier’s household, together with his spouse and the mom of his youngster in Texas, say the couple had a stormy affair.
Standing in a glass cage within the courtroom, Black pleaded “partially responsible” to theft and never responsible to creating loss of life threats. His lawyer will attraction towards the decision.
Black and Vashuk met in South Korea in October 2022 through the courting app Tinder, after which they began courting there. Vashuk then invited Black to Vladivostok.
Black reported this 12 months from the Eighth Military at Camp Humphreys within the Republic of South Korea to return to Fort Cavazos in Texas for a everlasting change of station, however as an alternative flew to China after which Russia to fulfill with Vashchuk.
The Pentagon mentioned Black violated Military guidelines by touring to Russia and China with out authorization.
Russia jails US soldier for messing up prisoner swap deal | Jail Information
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