Sergeant Gordon Black, 34, was stationed in South Korea for the US Army and was due to return to his home in Texas. But Black did not travel to the US, but suddenly appeared in Russia. According to US government sources, the soldier traveled to Russia to see a woman he was in a relationship with.
His Russian girlfriend is said to have lived in South Korea until recently. Last fall, she and Black reportedly got into an altercation. The woman then left South Korea.
Black, according to the Russian newspaper Izvestia Having stolen 200,000 rubles (2,000 euros) from the woman. He was arrested in Vladivostok by Russian authorities on suspicion of theft. The soldier would have to remain in jail until at least July 2. According to local authorities, the man risks up to five years in prison.
The United States says it will provide “appropriate consular support” to the soldier. His family was informed.
Americans arrested
Black is not the first American to be arrested in Russia. According to Washington, several Americans are being unlawfully detained in the country.
For example, American journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 on suspicion of espionage. Former soldier Paul Whelan was arrested in 2018. He is said to have been in possession of a USB stick with secret Russian information. Whelan was sentenced to sixteen years in prison for espionage by a Russian court in 2020.
US citizens are advised against traveling to Russia. Anyone who lives or works there is asked to leave.
Tags: Russia arrests American soldier private trip years prison theft
 during private trip: up to five years in prison for ‘theft’){kind=link}