Russia Sentences US Citizen to Six Years for Kidnapping, Court Reports

A court in Russia’s Kaliningrad region has sentenced a U.S. citizen to six years in prison and imposed a fine of 100,000 roubles (approximately $1,078) for the kidnapping of his son, according to a regional court announcement via Telegram.

The individual, whose full name has not been revealed, attempted to cross the Russian border illegally in July 2023 with his four-year-old son, who holds Russian nationality, without obtaining consent from the child’s mother.

In August, a significant prisoner exchange took place involving Russia, the United States, and several other nations, resulting in the transfer of 24 prisoners—16 moving from Russia to Western countries and eight returning to Russia.