Russian court begins trial of US soldier arrested for theft

MOSCOW — A court in the far-eastern Russian city of Vladivostok on Thursday began the trial of a U.S. soldier arrested there earlier this year on robbery charges.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, traveled to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. and Russian officials. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Russia's official RIA Novosti news agency reported Thursday from the courtroom of the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok that Black had agreed to testify at the trial and would respond to the charges against him later in the trial. procedure. The report also cites local police as saying Black is cooperating with authorities.

Black's arrest further complicates relations between the United States and Russia, which have become increasingly strained as fighting in Ukraine continues.

Russia holds a number of Americans in its prisons, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The U.S. government has designated both men as wrongfully detained and is trying to negotiate their release.

Other detainees include Travis Leake, a musician who had lived in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug charges; Marc Fogel, teacher in Moscow, sentenced to 14 years in prison, also for drug trafficking; and double nationals Alsou Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

The US Department of State strongly advises US citizens against traveling to Russia.

According to Pentagon policy, military personnel must obtain authorization from a security official or commander for all international travel.

The U.S. military said last month that Black had not requested permission to travel abroad and that it was not authorized by the Department of Defense. Given the hostilities in Ukraine and ongoing threats against the United States and its military, it is extremely unlikely that he would have won approval.

Black was on leave and about to return to his home base at Fort Cavazos, Texas, from South Korea, where he was stationed at Camp Humphreys with the Eighth Army. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Black signed for his return home and, “instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, R.P. from Korea, via China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons.”

Black's girlfriend, Alexandra Vashchuk, told reporters after the court hearing Thursday that “it was a simple domestic dispute,” during which Black “became aggressive and attacked her.” . “He then stole money from my wallet and I didn’t give it to him. permission to do so,” Vashchuk said.

U.S. officials said Black, who is married, met his girlfriend in South Korea.

According to U.S. officials, the Russian woman had lived in South Korea, and last fall she and Black had some sort of domestic argument or altercation. After that, she left South Korea. It is not clear whether she was forced to leave or what role, if any, Korean authorities played in the matter.