WASHINGTON (TND) — An American soldier was recently arrested in Russia on charges of criminal misconduct, according to the U.S. Army.
The National Desk confirmed the news with Army Spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith.
Smith on Monday said Russian authorities in Vladivostok, a major military and commercial Pacific port, detained the soldier four days prior.
The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," Smith noted in an email.The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia," she added. "Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”Smith did not identify the soldier.
According to The Associated Press, U.S. officials said the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to Fort Cavazos in Texas. Instead, officials said he traveled to Russia.
The media outlet also said Black was accused of stealing.
It was unclear Monday if the soldier is considered absent without leave, or AWOL.
During an unrelated news conference on Monday, a reporter asked National Security Council spokesman John Kirby about the arrest, with Kirby saying the White House is aware of the case.
The soldier's arrest comes less than a year after American soldier Travis King sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas. North Korea later announced that it would expel King, who was returned to the U.S. He was eventually charged with desertion.
The soldier's arrest in Russia was first reported by NBC News.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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