U.S. Soldier's Appeal Denied in Russian Court Over Theft and Threat Charges

A Russian court has denied U.S. soldier Gordon Black's appeal against his nearly four-year penal colony sentence. Black, a 34-year-old staff sergeant, was convicted of stealing $113 from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her. His defense claims the original verdict was unfair and seeks a new trial.

A Russian court rejected the appeal of U.S. soldier Gordon Black, who was sentenced to nearly four years in a penal colony following his June conviction for theft and threats to kill, it was confirmed on Monday.

Black, a 34-year-old U.S. staff sergeant, had been detained in Vladivostok after an altercation with his girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk. Although he pleaded not guilty to the threat charges, he admitted partial guilt for taking $113, claiming necessity. Despite his defense's arguments that the initial verdict was flawed, a panel of judges upheld the original decision.

Black's lawyer contended that the verdict lacked a proper basis, disregarded exculpatory evidence, and misinterpreted his actions. His case is among several high-profile instances of Americans detained in Russia for various reasons.