An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, based on two US officers.
US officers mentioned the soldier, Workers Sgt Gordon Black, 34, was stationed in South Korea and was within the technique of returning dwelling to Fort Cavazos in Texas. As an alternative, officers mentioned, he traveled to Russia.
The officers spoke on situation of anonymity to debate personnel particulars.
Cynthia Smith, a military spokesperson, confirmed {that a} soldier was detained on Thursday in Vladivostok, a significant navy and industrial Pacific port, on fees of prison misconduct. She mentioned Russia notified the US and the military advised the soldier’s household.
“The US state division is offering acceptable consular help to the soldier in Russia,” Smith mentioned.
It was unclear on Monday if the soldier is taken into account absent with out go away, or awol.
The arrest comes lower than a yr after American soldier Travis King sprinted into North Korea throughout the closely fortified border between the Koreas. North Korea later introduced that it will expel King, who was returned to the US. He was finally charged with desertion.
Russia is understood to be holding various People in its jails, together with company safety govt Paul Whelan and Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, The US authorities has designated each as wrongfully detained and has been making an attempt to barter for his or her launch.
Others detained embrace Travis Leake, a musician who had been dwelling in Russia for years and was arrested final yr on drug-related fees; Marc Fogel, a instructor in Moscow, who was sentenced to 14 years in jail, additionally on drug fees; and twin nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.
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