A Russian court sentenced a US soldier to almost four years in prison on Wednesday (Jun 19) on charges of theft and threatening to kill his Russian girlfriend, reported state media. Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested in May from the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok when he was visiting the woman. As per charges, Black stole 10,000 rubles (roughly $112) from her when he visited Vladivostok in April this year, reported state news agency TASS. The US soldier also faced charges of assaulting his girlfriend.
Black has vehemently denied the assault charges but has partially accepted theft charges. He said he had taken money from the woman’s purse but had transferred her $125. He reportedly spent the money on his accommodation while he stayed in the Russian city. He further claimed that the woman was supposed to get 10,000 rubles from the landlord after the end of the lease of the apartment for which he was paying.
His girlfriend also appeared in court on Monday and refused to reconcile saying the full damage was not compensated yet.
According to Black’s lawyer, he will appeal the court’s decision to a higher court.
Americans in Russian prisons
Several US citizens are detained in Russian prisons, but the US State Department has singled out two prisoners for being wrongfully detained: Former Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
The 32-year-old journalist was detained in March last year by Russia’s security agency the FSB on charges of trying to obtain state secrets. His trial will begin on June 26 in the city of Yekaterinburg, and he faces 20 years in prison if he’s convicted.
Both the US government and the Wall Street Journal have denied charges against him. The US earlier said Russia was using him as a geopolitical hostage.
Notably, the US has urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Russia.
(With inputs from agencies)
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