Sentence expands record of US residents detained in Russia as Moscow says awaiting response on prisoner swap proposals.
A Russian court docket has handed a United States soldier a jail sentence as Moscow mentioned it’s awaiting Washington’s response to prisoner swap proposals.
The Pervomaisky District Courtroom of Vladivostok sentenced US workers sergeant Gordon Black to a few years and 9 months in a penal colony on Wednesday for stealing $113 from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her, in line with state-run TASS and Sputnik.
The sentencing provides to the record of US residents jailed in Russia amid the deterioration in relations ushered in by the invasion of Ukraine. A senior official mentioned on the identical day that Moscow is ready for Washington to reply to its newest prisoner swap proposals.
‘Their problem’
Russia is holding not less than a dozen US residents in jail, together with company safety govt Paul Whelan, musician Travis Leake – arrested final 12 months on drug-related prices – instructor Marc Fogel – sentenced to 14 years in jail, additionally on drug prices – and twin nationwide Ksenia Khavana.
On Tuesday, a court docket turned down an attraction by one other twin passport holder Alsu Kurmasheva in opposition to the extension of her pre-trial detention. The Radio Free Europe journalist was arrested eight months in the past and has been charged with spreading “false information” in regards to the navy.
Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is because of face trial behind closed doorways on prices of espionage, which he has denied, on Tuesday.
President Vladimir Putin mentioned in February that talks on a prisoner swap involving the journalist have been beneath manner, however the Kremlin has not given any particulars on the progress of the negotiations.
“The ball is in the court of the United States, we are waiting for them to respond to the ideas that were presented to them,” Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov informed state information company TASS.
“They are well known to the relevant parts of the US administration. I understand that, perhaps, something in these ideas does not suit the Americans. That’s their problem,” he added.
‘Tempestuous 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 roubles ($113) and threatening her. The soldier’s household, together with his spouse and the mom of his youngster in Texas, have mentioned the pair had a tempestuous affair.
Standing in a glass cage within the courtroom, Black pleaded “partially guilty” to theft and never responsible to creating demise threats. His defence lawyer will attraction the decision.
Black and Vashuk met in South Korea in October 2022 on the relationship app Tinder, subsequently relationship one another there. Vashuk then invited Black to Vladivostok.
Black this 12 months signed out of the Eighth Military at Camp Humphreys within the Republic of South Korea to return to Fort Cavazos in Texas on a everlasting change of station, however as a substitute flew to China after which to Russia to fulfill Vashchuk.
The Pentagon mentioned that Black broke military guidelines by travelling to Russia and China with out authorisation.
