Russian court says U.S. soldier charged with theft causing damage

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Cars drive across the Zolotoy (Golden) Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia, September 13, 2023. /CFP

U.S. soldier Gordon Black, who has been detained in the Russian city of Vladivostok until July 2, has been charged with theft causing "significant damage," a Russian court said.

The Russian interior ministry in Vladivostok said on Tuesday that a 32-year-old woman had filed a complaint against the 34-year-old suspect.

Black, who the Pentagon said traveled to Russia without authorization, was detained in Vladivostok, Russia's Far East in early May.

The Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok said in a statement that it had decided to detain Black for "secretly stealing the property of citizen T., causing the latter significant damage" until July 2 as a "preventive measure in the form of detention."

"The court came to the conclusion that U.S. citizen B. (Black) – under the weight of the charges – could hide from the preliminary investigation authorities and the court to avoid responsibility," the statement said.

Reports are that Black and the woman had met in South Korea. The American then went to Vladivostok to visit her. The two argued, and she later filed a police report accusing him of stealing money. Black was arrested in a local hotel, having bought a plane ticket to return home.

The Pentagon said on Tuesday that before his arrest in Russia, Black broke Army rules by traveling to the Russian city of Vladivostok without authorization. The U.S. has warned its citizens against all travel to Russia.

(With input from Reuters)