US Soldier Sentenced To Nearly 4 Years In Russian Prison On Charges Of Theft And Murder Threats

A U.S. soldier was found guilty of theft and threatening murder in Russia. The soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

What Happened: The 34-year-old soldier was arrested in Vladivostok, Russia, last month after his girlfriend accused him of theft. Black, who was visiting her, was also charged with making threats of murder, reported the Associated Press on Wednesday.

Black’s girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, described the incident as a “simple domestic dispute” that escalated when Black “became aggressive and attacked” her. She also claimed that Black had stolen money from her wallet without permission.

Black, who is married, met Vashchuk in South Korea, where she had been living. The couple had a dispute in South Korea last fall, following which Vashchuk left the country. It is unclear if she was forced to leave or if South Korean authorities were involved in the matter.

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Black was on leave from his base in Fort Cavazos, Texas, and was returning from South Korea when he made an unauthorized trip to Vladivostok. The U.S. Army confirmed that Black had not sought travel clearance, which is mandatory for international travel by service members.

Why It Matters: This case comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with the latter detaining several American citizens. This includes corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, both of whom have been designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government.

Black’s arrest was reported in May when a Russian court ordered his detention on theft charges. The soldier’s sentencing now adds to the growing list of Americans imprisoned in Russia, raising concerns about their treatment and the potential for diplomatic resolutions.

Meanwhile, Russia has confirmed discussions with the U.S. over a possible prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, who is facing espionage charges in Russia. These discussions, initiated by the Kremlin, are part of ongoing communication between the two countries on the issue of detained Americans.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote