U.S. Soldier Gordon Black's Arrest in Russia Upheld Amid Theft Charges

A Russian court in Vladivostok upheld the arrest of U.S. staff sergeant Gordon Black, charged with theft. Black, detained on May 2, was participating via video from a detention center. The court rejected his plea to overturn the arrest, amid concerns he might abscond if released.

A court in the Russian city of Vladivostok ruled on Friday to keep U.S. military serviceman Gordon Black under arrest, the Interfax news agency reported.

Participating in the court via video link from a pre-trial detention centre, Black, charged with theft, had sought to have the arrest decision overturned. He said through an interpreter that he would stay in Russia during the investigation and trial. The prosecution objected, saying Black could abscond if released.

Black, a U.S. staff sergeant, was detained on May 2 by police in Vladivostok on suspicion of stealing from a woman he was in a relationship with. He had been based in South Korea. The Pentagon said he had broken army rules by travelling to Russia without authorisation, having passed through China.

The United States warns its citizens against all travel to Russia, citing an array of reasons, including "the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials" and the arbitrary enforcement of the law.

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