According to the New York Times website, the US State Department said on June 11 that a US citizen was arrested in Russia and is currently being held in Moscow. According to Russian state media, the man has been charged with drug trafficking.
The press service of a court in Moscow’s Khamovniki district told the Interfax news agency that the man, a former paratrooper and musician, was accused of organizing a drug business involving young people.
The State Department identified the man as Michael Travis Leak. The State Department also said embassy officials attending his arraignment on Monday “will continue to closely monitor the case” and work to provide “all appropriate consular assistance.”
Us basketball star Brittney Griner has reportedly been released from prison in Russia six months ago in a prisoner swap. Griner spent nearly 10 months in jail on a marijuana possession charge. Her case became an international incident because she was seen as a hostage held by Moscow in response to international sanctions imposed for its “invasion” of Ukraine.
The United States is advising all Americans to avoid traveling to Russia. After Moscow launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries imposed sanctions and banned flights, and many citizens of the United States and European countries left Russia. It’s not clear how many are still there.