Crime / Moscow Moscow Court Rejects American's Drug Conviction Appeal US citizen Robert Woodland faces 12-year Russian prison sentence By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Nov 5, 2024 9:40 PM CST Copied FILE -Robert Woodland, a Russia-born U.S. citizen, stands in a glass cage during a court hearing, July 4, 2024, in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) A Moscow court rejected American citizen Robert Woodland's appeal against his drug-related conviction on Tuesday. Originally sentenced in July to 12 and a half years for attempted drug trafficking, Woodland's plea for leniency was dismissed by the Moscow City Court, reaffirming the decision of the Ostankino District Court. Woodland, a dual citizen born in Russia's Perm region, was adopted by an American family and traveled back to Russia, reportedly to reconnect with his birth mother. The circumstances surrounding American arrests in Russia are increasingly tense amid deteriorating Russia-US relations, further exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. The US accuses Russia of using American detainees as political "bargaining chips", a claim Moscow rebuffs, stating that those arrested are subject to Russian law. Woodland's case adds to a growing list of individuals caught in this geopolitical quagmire. Prisoner exchanges between the two countries have occurred, yet the potential for Woodland's release through a swap remains uncertain. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > Landslide in La Paz After Heavy Rains Spur Chaos 39 minutes ago Progressive Icon Fred Harris Dies at 94 1 hour, 9 minutes ago Anti-Apartheid Poet and Activist Dead at 85 1 hour, 39 minutes ago Environmentalist and 5 Others Arrested Over Logging Probe 2 hours, 9 minutes ago Update on Toxic Blaze at BioLab Chemical Plant Nov 24, 2024 3:03 PM CST Earth's Cosmic Companion Bids Farewell, Returns in January Nov 24, 2024 2:59 PM CST Drones Detected Near US Bases in Eastern England Nov 24, 2024 2:58 PM CST Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Found Dead in UAE Nov 24, 2024 2:57 PM CST Shiffrin Claims 99th Win, Eyes Milestone in North America Nov 24, 2024 2:31 PM CST Kylie Kelce Announces 4th Pregnancy on Instagram Nov 23, 2024 2:53 PM CST Chase Elliott Named NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Again Nov 23, 2024 2:46 PM CST Massachusetts to End Hotel Shelters for Homeless Families Nov 23, 2024 1:11 PM CST Diddy Seeks Jail Release Amid Sex Trafficking Trial Nov 23, 2024 10:00 AM CST Louisiana Lawmakers Want Juvenile Trials Shifted to Adult Court Nov 23, 2024 9:00 AM CST Turkish Doctor Denies Fraud in Baby Deaths Case Nov 23, 2024 8:00 AM CST Massachusetts Officer Fatally Shoots Dog Mistaken as Coyote Nov 23, 2024 7:09 AM CST US Targets Gazprombank With New Sanctions Nov 22, 2024 12:10 PM CST New Zealand Enforces Ban on Public Gang Symbols Nov 22, 2024 12:06 PM CST Report an error