A Moscow court began hearing the case of a 72-year-old American man accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, according to Russian news outlets.
“Moscow City Court began hearing the criminal case of 72-year-old American… over participating as a mercenary in the armed conflict on the side of Ukraine,” RIA Novosti news agency said.
It identified the individual as Stefan Hubbard, but noted that his name could be written differently, with social media posts indicating Stephen Hubbard.
“We are aware of stories about the arrest of an American citizen.
“We are unable to comment further due to privacy restrictions,” the US embassy in Moscow stated in a statement.
According to RIA Novosti, the pensioner from Michigan relocated to Ukraine in 2014. The stories did not specify when or how the American landed in Moscow.
At the hearing in Moscow’s top municipal court, a judge granted the prosecutor’s plea to hold him for six months on the grounds that he would attempt to flee, remanding him in detention until March 26, 2025.
Russia has arrested several US citizens in recent years on charges ranging from espionage and criticising the Russian army to petty theft and family disputes.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
