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) < > Iceland Volcano Erupts for 7th Time Since December 4 hours, 1 minute ago To Welcome 2025, City Will Demolish Hotel Elvis Once Stayed At 4 hours, 31 minutes ago Ex-UVA Student Admits to Killing 3 Football Players 5 hours, 1 minute ago Court Rules in Favor of Worker Fired for Eating Croquette 5 hours, 31 minutes ago Trudeau's Employment Minister Resigns Over Indigenous Claims Nov 20, 2024 3:01 PM CST Court Decision Ends Jackson Airport Control Dispute Nov 20, 2024 2:50 PM CST Trump Favors TV Personalities for Key Administration Roles Nov 20, 2024 1:45 AM CST Susan Smith Seeks Parole After 30 Years in Prison Nov 20, 2024 1:15 AM CST Work Intensifies at Controversial Olympic Sliding Center Nov 20, 2024 12:45 AM CST Authorities Seize $8.5M in Etruscan Artifacts From Illegal Dig Nov 20, 2024 12:15 AM CST Australian Tourists Hospitalized After Tainted Drinks in Laos Nov 19, 2024 2:47 PM CST Family Urged Search After Deadly Louisville Plant Explosion Nov 19, 2024 2:36 PM CST Fin Whale Washes Ashore Near Anchorage, Biologists Investigate Nov 19, 2024 2:10 PM CST US Launches New Investigations Into Ford Recalls Nov 19, 2024 3:30 AM CST Rapper NBA YoungBoy Admits Running Drug Fraud Ring Nov 19, 2024 2:30 AM CST Section of Dallas Cowboys' Roof Falls Onto Field Before Game Nov 19, 2024 1:30 AM CST Tanzania Rescue Operations Persist After Deadly Building Collapse Nov 19, 2024 12:30 AM CST CVS Health Expands Board With Strategic New Appointments Nov 18, 2024 10:00 AM CST Report an error