Arrested US soldier awaiting hearing in Russia on theft charges
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army soldier arrested in Russia last week is being held in a pretrial detention facility waiting for a hearing, the Army said Tuesday.
Staff Sgt. Gordon Black flew to Russia to see his girlfriend, according to U.S. officials, and the Army confirmed Tuesday that he had not sought clearance for the international travel and it was not authorized by the Defense Department.
Under Pentagon policy, service members must get clearance for any international travel from a security manager or commander and that was not done. The State Department strongly advises U.S. citizens not to go to Russia, and given the war in Ukraine and ongoing threats to the U.S. and its military, it is extremely unlikely he would have been granted approval.
Black was on leave and in the process of returning to his home base at Fort Cavazos in Texas, from South Korea, where he had been stationed at Camp Humphreys with the Eighth Army. The U.S. officials said Black, who is married, met his girlfriend in South Korea. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details.
Related articles
Bank of America trader, 25, dies suddenly 'of a cardiac arrest' during work event
A 25-year-old Bank of America trader has died of a suspected cardiac arrest at a company event.Adnan2024-05-20VOX POPULI: Godzilla shows us our inability to come to grips with the past
What attracts Godzilla to Tokyo? Why does he attack the Japanese capital over and over?The Diet buil2024-05-20Long Beach police seek additional victims of gardener arrested for alleged sexual battery
CBS News Los Angeles Live2024-05-20Israeli troops recover slain Gaza hostage, Egypt to host new truce talks
An Israeli force take security measures as Palestinians gather at the Qalandia military checkpoint,2024-05-20Israel intensifies offensive in Gaza, strikes 120 sites: army
People prepare to leave a shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 6, 2024. [Photo/X2024-05-20Fresh water farm plans rollout to be reviewed, work underway may be halted
Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-05-20
atest comment