An American soldier was arrested last week in Vladivostok, far east of Russia, on charges of “criminal misconduct.” The US Army confirmed the arrest.
The soldier's identity was not revealed, although many American media reported that he was 34-year-old Gordon Black.
Black is said to have traveled to Vladivostok to meet a woman for “romantic reasons”. He made the trip without the knowledge and permission of his superiors. The soldier was previously stationed in South Korea for the United States. When his mission there ended, he left for Russia.
theft
The man is currently officially in custody on charges of robbing a woman. It is not clear whether she is the same woman he was said to have agreed with. He will remain in pre-trial detention until at least July 1.
Russia informed the US State Department of the arrest. The Ministry provides consular support to the soldier and has informed his family.
Travel alerts
The United States has recently called on its citizens several times not to travel to Russia for security reasons. Americans already in Russia have also been advised to leave the country.
It is clear that these warnings were not in vain from the fact that many Americans are detained in Russia. Notable prisoners include Ivan Gershkovitch, a Wall Street Journal journalist who was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
Gershkovitch had been detained since March 29 last year, and in February this year, Russian President Putin announced that he believed the journalist's release could be negotiated. “There are no taboos for settling this issue,” Putin told an American interviewer.
However, Gershkovitch remains imprisoned to this day. His pretrial detention was extended several times, most recently until the end of next month.
