Russia arrests U.S. soldier in Vladivostok on theft charges
U.S. Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith confirmed in a statement on Monday that Russian officials in Vladivostok arrested an American soldier last week. He is reportedly accused of stealing from a woman. The U.S. serviceman had been stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia on vacation, reported NBC News.
Smith did not reveal the soldier’s name and highlighted the matter’s sensitivity:
The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.