(NEW YORK) — A U.S. soldier was detained in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday on charges of criminal misconduct, according to the U.S. Army.
“The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith told ABC News. “The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.”
Two U.S. officials told ABC News the soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, had been stationed in South Korea but was on temporary leave because he was changing units and relocating from South Korea to Fort Cavazos, Texas. This type of leave, called Permanent Change of Station, allows a service member time to relocate.
During his leave, the soldier left of his own volition and was not granted any kind of permission to travel to Russia, the two officials said.
Vladivostok is a port city in southeast Russia near the country’s borders with North Korea and China.
A State Department official confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is seeking to gain consular access to the detained soldier but has not yet been allowed to meet with the individual. The official also said the soldier is being held in pretrial detention through July 1, but it’s likely that will be extended.
The White House is aware of the report about a U.S. soldier being detained in Russia, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during a briefing Monday afternoon.
NBC News first reported the detainment.
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