An American soldier, identified as Gordon Black, was detained in Russia for alleged theft during a private trip to the port city of Vladivostok. The White House and US Army are aware of the situation and providing consular support. Russia notified the US under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The soldier, stationed in South Korea, is in pre-trial detention, with limited details disclosed due to the sensitivity of the matter.
South Korean national Baek Won-soon has been detained in Russia on suspicion of passing state secrets to foreign intelligence services, with little information available about the case. The detainment in the far-eastern city of Vladivostok is believed to be the first of a South Korean in Russia in recent decades, amidst tensions between Russia and South Korea due to the latter's support for Western sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. Baek's detention follows a pattern of foreign nationals being detained in Russia on various charges, with accusations of espionage carrying a maximum 20-year jail term in the country.
Vladimir Putin addresses Russia's nuclear capability while NATO nations consider sending troops to Ukraine. A South Korean missionary is detained in Russia on espionage allegations, with Russia's Tass reporting the arrest in Vladivostok. The missionary, affiliated with a Christian aid group, is accused of passing state secrets to foreign intelligence. South Korea provides consular services and seeks the missionary's release. In a separate incident, the top strategist of late Russian opposition leader Navalny is attacked in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. Russia has recently detained foreign nationals on various offenses, including a Wall Street Journal reporter.
Consular immunity privileges are described in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 (VCCR). Consular immunity offers protections similar to diplomatic immunity, but these protections are not as extensive, given the functional differences between consular and diplomatic officers. For example, consular officers are not accorded absolute immunity from a host country’s criminal jurisdiction, they may be tried for certain local crimes upon action by a local court, and are immune from local jurisdiction only in cases directly relating to consular functions.
The Russian ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreev, did not attend a meeting at the Polish Foreign Ministry where he was summoned due to a Russian cruise missile breaching Polish airspace for 39 seconds during an attack on western Ukraine. The Polish ministry expressed concerns about Andreev's ability to represent Russia in Warsaw and cited the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Polish Foreign Minister communicated details of the incident to NATO, highlighting the threat of Russia's actions in Ukraine to NATO member states.
The United States is contemplating imposing sanctions on the Israeli battalion, Netzah Yehuda, accused of human rights violations in the West Bank. Reports suggest one or more Israeli battalions could be affected, but there is uncertainty as Israeli leaders may prevent the sanctions. Pressure from the US followed Israel's recent aid approval, amidst ongoing conflict with Gaza. Instances of abuse, including the death of a Palestinian American in the unit's custody, have fueled the debate. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Benny Gantz have opposed potential sanctions on the contentious battalion.
The US secretly delivered long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in a $300 million aid package, used recently against Russian forces. Biden approved the transfer after resolving readiness concerns and in response to Russian actions. The missiles have a range of up to 187 miles and were provided for Ukraine's strategic advantage. The White House concealed the decision for operational security. The aid package for Ukraine includes billions in weapons and support. Biden directed the move to counter Russia's aggression, limiting the use of missiles to Ukrainian territory. The US is aiding Ukraine amid concerns of Russian escalation.
Former US Army financial counselor Caz Craffy, 41, pleaded guilty to defrauding grieving Gold Star families out of millions of dollars in life insurance payments. Over a period of four years, he scammed at least 24 families by convincing them to transfer nearly $10 million of survivor benefits into private brokerage accounts under his control. Craffy's fraudulent scheme involved unauthorized trades, resulting in losses of over $3.4 million for the families while earning him $1.4 million in commissions. He faces up to 10 years in prison and has agreed to make full restitution. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting Gold Star families from further harm.
US Northern Command commander Gen. Gregory M. Guillot testified about a significant number of drone incursions at the southern border. Ecuador defended its storming of the Mexican Embassy in Quito to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas at the International Court of Justice, leading to tensions with Mexico. Latin American leaders condemned the raid as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Mexico filed a case at the ICJ seeking reparation, suspension of Ecuador from the UN, and protection of diplomatic premises.
US Army General Charles Hamilton has been suspended for allegedly interfering with the selection of a female lieutenant colonel for a command job, persuading the board to give her a second interview after being initially rejected. The investigation revealed inappropriate actions to influence the assessment process. The Army Secretary, Christine Wormuth, has suspended Hamilton and referred the matter to the Defense Department's inspector general, affirming a commitment to ensuring maximum fairness in the Battalion Commander Assessment Program.
The US State Department is considering whether to restrict military assistance to one of five Israeli security units that committed human rights violations prior to the war with Hamas in Gaza. The other four units have taken remediation actions. The unit under scrutiny is reported to be the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion, implicated in the death of an elderly Palestinian American man in January 2022. The abuses took place in the West Bank, not Gaza. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have criticized potential US actions as appearing to bend to pressure from Israel.
Havin Morris, a 21-year-old West Point cadet, was discovered dead in the New River in Fort Lauderdale, two days after he went missing while partying with friends at a bar. Authorities believe Morris likely drowned accidentally with no foul play suspected. West Point staff paid tribute to Morris, describing him as bright and resilient. The US Army is assisting the family, and the investigation is being handled by the Army's Criminal Investigation Command in collaboration with Fort Lauderdale police.
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