A U.S. Army soldier has been detained in Russia over allegations of prison misconduct, the service stated Monday.
The soldier was recognized as Workers Sgt. Gordon Black by a U.S. official. He was arrested by Russian authorities final week in Vladivostok, an space northeast of the Korean peninsula close to the place the Russian Pacific fleet is headquartered, based on the Army.
The soldier could have been touring to satisfy with a lady, probably a girlfriend, based on reporting from Politico, and was arrested Could 2. Russia’s detainment of the soldier follows an incident final yr through which a soldier based mostly in South Korea, Pvt. Travis King, fled into North Korea and was briefly held by the regime.
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“The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Division of State of the prison detention in accordance with the Vienna Conference on Consular Relations,” Cynthia Smith, an Army spokesperson, stated in an announcement. “The Army notified his household, and the U.S. Division of State is offering applicable consular help to the soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we’re unable to offer extra particulars presently.”
It is unclear what led to the soldier being detained. Russian authorities have a protracted monitor file of taking foreigners into custody on trumped-up prices. These prisoners are sometimes used as bargaining chips for prisoner exchanges or different political functions. NBC reported that the soldier is accused of stealing from the girl he was assembly.
The information comes as Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Road Journal reporter, has been jailed since March 2023 in Russia on espionage prices. Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran, can be in custody on espionage prices.
Brittney Griner, an American basketball star, was imprisoned in Russia for 10 months earlier than being launched in 2022 by the Russian authorities in a prisoner swap for a infamous Russian arms supplier.
In July, King fled into North Korea as he was dealing with a dishonorable discharge and different disciplinary actions amid allegations of insubordination, assault and possession of kid pornography. He was returned to the U.S. two months later. King remains to be assigned to the Army’s 1st Armored Division, a spokesperson confirmed to Army.com final month. It is unclear when the service plans to take disciplinary motion in opposition to him.
Editor’s word: This story was up to date with a supply confirming the soldier’s identification.
Associated: Pvt. Travis King, Soldier Who Fled to North Korea, Faces Desertion and Little one Pornography Costs
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