American Soldier’s Russian Prison Term Cut After Appeal

U.S. Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, who was found guilty in 2024 of theft and threatening his Russian lover, had his prison term lowered by a Russian appellate court. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said Monday, the 9th Court of Cassation reduced Black's sentence from three years and nine months to three years and two months.

Black, 34, arrived in the far eastern port city of Vladivostok to see his sweetheart and was arrested in May 2024. Russian officials charged him with threatening her life and stealing from her. The following month, he was found guilty and directed to pay penalties of 10,000 rubles, almost $115.

His defense team had asked the court to reverse the allegation of issuing threats and to cut the penalty for stealing by appealing the conviction. The court partially allowed the appeal and sentenced a lesser term even though the murder threat allegation was not dropped.

Black's case adds to the already increasing list of Americans imprisoned in Russia under worsening ties between the two countries. Among the well-known cases are former teacher Marc Fogel, Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich, and corporate security officer Paul Whelan, all of whom the U.S. government has unlawfully detained. Others still imprisoned on drug and violence charges are retired veteran Robert Gilman and singer Travis Leake.

Concerns over what U.S. authorities refer to as politically motivated detentions of Americans in Russia have been raised before. Black's case does not yet fit as wrongful detention, nevertheless.

Any upcoming appeals or diplomatic initiatives that might result in early release or additional sentence reduction are unknown.

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