The U.S. Army has ceased paying wages and allowances to Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, sentenced last month to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony for theft and threatening murder. Black, who traveled to Russia without authorization and engaged in a prohibited extramarital affair, was arrested in May after an argument with his girlfriend. The Army is considering prosecuting him upon his return to the United States, drawing parallels to the case of Private Travis King, who faced charges after being detained in North Korea.
Black’s situation has added to the challenges faced by U.S. officials dealing with high-profile detentions in Russia, such as those of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. The Army has reclassified Black’s status to “Confined Civilian Authority” without pay or allowances but is maintaining his family’s medical benefits and base privileges. The decision to change his status while he is in Russia has sparked controversy, with concerns about legitimizing the Russian legal proceedings.
Black’s wife and mother have highlighted his tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, describing incidents of violence. His defense lawyer in Russia plans to appeal the verdict. Meanwhile, the Army is weighing its options, considering leniency if Black serves his full sentence in Russia, but maintaining that he will face consequences for his violations of Army rules.
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