Officials say that a U.S. Army soldier who was arrested in Vladivostok, Russia, last Thursday has been charged with criminal wrongdoing.
When the soldier traveled to Russia, a senior U.S. defense official recognized him as Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, a South Korea-based soldier on leave planning to return home.
Black took a detour on his way home after concluding his tour.
The official claimed that Black had been arrested by Russian authorities on suspicion of stealing something, but it is generally accepted that the charge was made up in order to hold an American.
In compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State about the criminal detention, according to Army spokesman Cynthia O. Smith.
