Russian court keeps U.S. soldier Black in custody

24/5/2024 16:11

        A court in the Russian city of Vladivostok ruled on Friday to keep U.S. military serviceman Gordon Black under arrest, the Interfax news agency reported.
        
        Participating in the court via video link from a pre-trial detention centre, Black, charged with theft, had sought to have the arrest decision overturned. He said through an interpreter that he would stay in Russia during the investigation and trial.
        
        The prosecution objected, saying Black could abscond if released.
        
        Black, a U.S. staff sergeant, was detained on May 2 by police in Vladivostok on suspicion of stealing from a woman he was in a relationship with.
        
        He had been based in South Korea. The Pentagon said he had broken army rules by travelling to Russia without authorisation, having passed through China.