In recent news, American citizen Michael Travis Leake was sentenced to 13 years in prison on drug charges in Russia. Leake, a former paratrooper and musician, was arrested last year after Russian court officials accused him of organizing a drug trafficking business involving young people. The Moscow Times reported that the rock musician and frontman for Lovi Noch (Catch the Night) was found guilty by Moscow's Khamovnitchesky Court and ordered to serve his sentence in a maximum-security prison colony.
Leake, who has lived in Russia for many years, pleaded not guilty to the charges. In an interview with CNN's Parts Unknown in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Leake expressed frustrations with censorship and spoke about his love for music. However, he was arrested shortly after this appearance.
Russian authorities reportedly found drug packages on Leake's person at the time of his arrest. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sentencing.
This is not an isolated incident, as diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow are at a historic low due to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine. At least a dozen US citizens and dual nationals are currently being detained in Russia, including Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges.
Leake's sentencing comes amidst increasing arrests of US citizens in Russia, which the U.S. sees as a Kremlin ploy to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.
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