Russia released a US citizen who was arrested on drug smuggling charges earlier this month, according to a US official who spoke with the Associated Press. The move appeared to be an effort to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington. Discussions in Saudi Arabia On Tuesday, it is expected to focus on War in Ukraine A fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Karob Byers, 28, was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on February 7 after customs officials allegedly found gummies and marmalades covered in cannabis in their luggage. It was unclear that the Russian media did not report exactly what the allegedly said food was.
According to reports, Byers traveled from Istanbul with his Russian fiancée. Authorities said he tried to smuggle “a significant amount” of drugs into the country and detained him on charges of drug smuggling, punished by a maximum of 10 years’ prison sentence.
AP/Moscow Municipal Court Press
Byers has been released from custody and is located at the US embassy in Moscow, where he is waiting to return home, and Russian independent news outlet Meduza quotes Facebook posts by his parents I reported it on Monday. US officials confirmed to the Associated Press that Byers had been released to the embassy late Sunday evening. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity. Because they were not allowed to discuss sensitive issues.
A State Department spokesman declined to comment on Byers’ CBS News case on Monday, but they noted long-standing guidance on trips to Russia, citing “the risk of detention of the country’s US citizens.” urge the Russian Americans to leave. “
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to questions about Byers, whom Moscow had expected to “discuss about restoring the entire Russian-American relations complex.” . Tuesday’s discussion in Saudi Arabia“Therefore, certain events can be seen in this context.”
But speaking to a reporter on Monday, State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce said the conversation in Riyadh is primarily focused on the Ukrainian war, from the US government’s perspective.
It was not immediately revealed Monday whether Byers’ fiancee was released. Russian media reports identified her as Naida Mambetva and said she was placed in pre-trial custody on the same charges.
The arrest of Americans in Russia has become increasingly common in recent years, with connections to Moscow-Washington’s slump into war in Ukraine. Some were released in prisoner interactions. most The most recent one included Mark Vogela Pennsylvania teacher was jailed in Russia on charges similar to those faced by Byers.
Vogel was detained in 2021 to travel to Russia and work in school, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison for what his family and supporters said was medically prescribed marijuana. He was released earlier this month and brought back to the US. Alexander VinnikRussian cryptocurrency experts faced with Bitcoin fraud in the US have returned to Russia.
The release of Fogel and Byers appears to ease tensions between Russia and the US.
President Trump on Wednesday overturned three years of US policy against Ukraine and Russia, saying he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had I agreed to start negotiations After a long direct call, the dispute ends.
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