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) < > UN Condemns North Korea's Latest Missile Tests 14 hours, 26 minutes ago California Sues Norwalk Over Homeless Shelter Ban 15 hours, 26 minutes ago Tyka Nelson, Prince's Sister, Dies at 64 16 hours, 26 minutes ago Jury Acquits Alabama Man in 1988 NH Murder 17 hours, 26 minutes ago Tito Jackson Buried 7 Weeks After His Death 18 hours, 26 minutes ago Appeals Court Allows Colorado Gun Age Law for Now 19 hours, 26 minutes ago Dodgers Star Ohtani Undergoes Surgery Nov 5, 2024 11:00 PM CST Conor McGregor Faces Civil Suit Over 2018 Assault Allegations Nov 5, 2024 9:47 PM CST Nintendo Profits Plummet as Switch Demand Cools Nov 5, 2024 1:44 PM CST Russian Rocket Successfully Launches Iranian Satellites Nov 5, 2024 9:16 AM CST Iranian Official Contradicts Tehran's Claim on Prisoner's Death Nov 5, 2024 8:32 AM CST Nigerian President: Release 29 Kids Facing Execution Nov 5, 2024 1:45 AM CST Australia Confronts India Over Sikh Activist Allegations Nov 5, 2024 1:15 AM CST Megyn Kelly Endorses Trump in Fiery Pittsburgh Speech Nov 5, 2024 12:45 AM CST Starmer Calls for Terror-Level Action on Smugglers Nov 5, 2024 12:15 AM CST China Challenges EU Tariffs on Electric Vehicles Nov 4, 2024 2:14 PM CST Serbian Minister Resigns After Fatal Railway Station Collapse Nov 4, 2024 2:11 PM CST Thousands Displaced Ahead of Paris Olympics, Group Reports Nov 4, 2024 1:24 PM CST Report an error