A US soldier has been arrested in Russia on accusations of theft, as confirmed by American authorities. Staff Sgt. Gordon D. Black was taken into custody on May 2 in Vladivostok, a key port city close to the borders with North Korea and China.
Who is Gordon D. Black?
Gordon D. Black reportedly traveled to Russia on personal business, not as part of his official duties. According to NBC News, he was previously assigned to South Korea and was transitioning to a new post at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
Reports indicate that Black did not have the required permission from his commanders for the trip. He is currently in pre-trial detention. His mother, Melody Jones, expressed concerns about his treatment in Russia, stating, “Please do not torture or hurt him.”
“The Russian authorities in Vladivostok detained an American Soldier on criminal charges on May 2, 2024,” US Army officials stated to The Mirror.
“The Russian Federation has communicated the detention to the U.S. Department of State following the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Army has informed his family, and the State Department is offering consular support.”
The officials also mentioned, “Due to the sensitive nature of this case, further information cannot be disclosed at this moment.”
John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, acknowledged the administration’s awareness of the situation. “I can’t really say much about this right now,” Kirby said during a press briefing.
Other similar cases
This incident comes a month after American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was charged with espionage. He was arrested in March 2023 and is being detained in Russia.
In 2018, Paul Whelan was given a 16-year sentence after being accused of espionage by Russian authorities, charges that both the US government and his family have vehemently denied.
Additionally, WNBA star Brittney Griner faced arrest in Russia for possessing a cannabis oil cartridge in her luggage. Former ballerina Ksenia Karelina was also detained while traveling from Los Angeles to Russia, accused of donating $51 to a Ukrainian aid organization.