U.S. residents face calls for incarceration from Russian judicial authorities.
Russian authorities seek a seven-year stint in harsh conditions for a 72-year-old American, allegedly serving as a combatant in Ukraine. The authorities propose considering his advanced age and his admission of guilt, as mentioned in an Interfax news piece. He's facing charges of penning a contract with the Ukrainian military post-Feb 2022 Russian invasion, reportedly set to earn him at least $1,000. Reports suggest his training, armament with a personal weapon, and active participation as a mercenary in the Ukrainian forces ended when he was apprehended by Russian forces in April 2022.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow informed AP about reports of this American's detention, stating they couldn't delve deeper due to confidentiality matters. Convicted mercenaries in Russia may face 7 to 15 years in jail.
Recent years have seen an uptick in U.S. citizen arrests in Russia, fueling speculations that Russia might be strategically detaining Americans to strengthen their position in international negotiations regarding the release of incarcerated Russians in foreign lands.
In August, the U.S. and Russia finalized the most significant prisoner exchange since the Soviet era, involving 24 people and the involvement of Germany and other European nations in mediating and releasing Russians from their custody. A handful of U.S. citizens continue to serve time in Russian prisons.**
Given the current context, here are two sentences that contain the words 'U.S. citizens':
- Recent years have seen an uptick in U.S. citizen arrests in Russia, fueling speculations that Russia might be strategically detaining Americans to strengthen their position in international negotiations.
- A handful of U.S. citizens continue to serve time in Russian prisons.
