Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, a US soldier, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in a Russian penal colony by a court in Vladivostok on charges of theft and threatening murder, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. Black was arrested in May after traveling to the far eastern city to visit a woman believed to be his girlfriend.
The charges against Black stem from an incident in April when he allegedly stole 10,000 rubles (approximately $112) from the woman after meeting her in South Korea. He was also accused of assaulting her during a quarrel. While Black partially admitted guilt to the theft charges, he did not admit to threatening to kill the woman.
During court proceedings on Monday, Black stated that he took the money from the woman’s purse but later transferred $125 to her. He claimed to have spent the money on food and three nights in a hotel. The woman, who also spoke in court, said she was not yet ready to reconcile with Black as the damage had not been compensated.
Black’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal the sentence handed down by the Pervomaisky District Court. The sentencing comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.
Several Americans are currently being held in Russia, including two individuals declared as wrongfully detained by the US State Department: former Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Gershkovich, who was arrested in March last year while on a reporting trip, is set to stand trial behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg starting June 26. The journalist, the US government, and the Wall Street Journal have vehemently denied the charges against him, which include attempting to obtain state secrets.
The White House has accused the Kremlin of using Gershkovich as a geopolitical hostage, making him the first American reporter detained in Russia on allegations of spying since the Cold War. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
In light of the ongoing tensions and the cases of detained Americans, the US government has repeatedly warned its citizens against traveling to Russia. As Black’s case unfolds and Gershkovich’s trial approaches, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments and their impact on the already strained relations between the United States and Russia.
CNN
