Russian court sentences US citizen to 15 days in prison for attacking police officer
The American man, identified as Joseph Tater, was on Wednesday given an “administrative penalty in the form of administrative arrest for a period of 15 days” by the Meshchansky Court of Moscow, according to a post on the official Telegram channel of the Moscow City Courts of General Jurisdiction.
Tater was found guilty of disorderly conduct following previous reports of police detaining a foreigner who violated public order while staying at a hotel in Moscow, Russian state media TASS reported.
“He behaved aggressively, swore, and used foul language,” TASS reported while quoting the court’s press service, adding that Tater “hit a [female] police officer” during his investigation in detention.
Tater is also facing a criminal case for the use of violence against a government official, TASS said, adding that the American could face imprisonment for up to five years.
CNN has contacted the US State Department and the US Embassy in Moscow for comment.
Vedant Patel, State Department principal deputy spokesperson, said authorities wereaware of “reports of another American citizen being arrested in Russia,” when asked about Tater during a press conference on Wednesday.
“We’re working to get as much information as we can, working to ascertain the consular situation, and see if consular access is available,” Patel said, without giving additional specifics.
There are several American citizens serving sentences in Russia on drug or theft convictions, including Marc Fogel, who was convicted for illegal possession of cannabis in Russia.
Fogel, who worked in Moscow as a teacher, was arrested on drug charges in 2021 after entering the country with cannabis and was sentenced to 14 years at a hard labor camp in Russia. His family and lawyer have said he was carrying it for medical purposes that had been recommended by a doctor to treat “severe spinal pain.”
Fogel was not included in the largest Russia-West prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War earlier this month. Twenty-four detainees were freed in the historic swap, which included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition politician and one of President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics, was also freed.
Separately, TASS reported, Russian-US dual national Ksenia Karelina pleaded guilty in a Russian court to treason charges, after being arrested for donating $51.80 to a charity that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Karelina, 33, was detained in Yekaterinburg in February while visiting her grandparents.
Despite the ongoing disputes between the United States and Russia, Europe remains a key player in facilitating diplomatic negotiations. The World Council on Foreign Relations has emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the two nations.
In light of the recent arrests of American citizens in Russia, including Joseph Tater and Marc Fogel, there have been calls for improved diplomatic efforts to ensure the protection of the rights and safety of all citizens.
