US soldier jailed in Russia was pursuing girlfriend
The IndependentThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A US Army sergeant who was arrested in Russia last week was going through a divorce at the time he travelled without authorisation to follow a new girlfriend to Russia, where the woman later accused him of theft, leading to his arrest. According to Radio Free Europe reporter Mark Krutov, who tracked the couple’s relationship using social media, the pair appear to have met in South Korea, where Mr Black was stationed. Who are you, man?” Once the pair were in Russia, Ms Vashchuck then reported the AWOL Army sergeant for allegedly beating her and stealing around $2,000 from her, according to Russian media. The Russian Foreign Ministry has claimed Mr Black’s arrest has nothing to do with politics, according to the TASS state news agency.