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Russian court sentences US citizen to 15 days in prison for attacking police officers

It took months of negotiations between Russia and the United States, as well as concessions from some other European countries, to make this deal possible, which involved a total of 24 people celebrating their return. The released Americans hugged and kissed their loved ones on the tarmac of the joint base. President Andrews, Biden and Vice President are here to welcome them to me. It's about, it really is about the personal relationships between the 16 Americans released from Russia, journalist Evan Kovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan, both of whom were once sentenced to long prison terms for espionage. The White House honors this emotional moment today, excuse me. Um, today was a *** very good day and we will build on it and draw inspiration and continued courage from it for all those held hostage or unjustly detained around the world. But a clarification would hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable at this *** time of open hostility in the ongoing war in Ukraine. It will not change its focus on subjugating Ukraine; those priorities have not changed. Russia got eight of its own people back in that prisoner swap, including an assassin, two suspected spies from Slovenia and five others from the United States, Norway and Poland in Washington. I'm Amy Lou.

A US citizen was sentenced to 15 days in a Russian prison for attacking a police officer for “petty hooliganism,” Moscow court officials said.Video above: Released Americans land on US soil after historic, multinational prisoner swapThe American, identified as Joseph Tater, was sentenced to an “administrative punishment in the form of administrative detention for a period of 15 days” by Moscow's Meshchansky Court on Wednesday, according to a post on the official Telegram channel of Moscow City Courts of General Jurisdiction.Tater was found guilty of disturbing the peace after earlier reports that police had detained a foreigner who violated public order while staying at a Moscow hotel, Russian state media TASS reported.”He behaved aggressively, swore and used foul language,” TASS reported, citing the court's press office, adding that Tater “hit a police officer” while being examined in custody.Tater also faces a Criminal proceedings are pending for using violence against a government official, TASS said, adding that the American could face a prison sentence for up to five years.CNN has contacted the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for comment.Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the State Department, said authorities were aware of “reports of the arrest of another American citizen in Russia” when asked about Tater during a press conference on Wednesday.”We are working to get as much information as possible, determine the consular situation and see if consular access is possible,” Patel said, without providing further details.Several American citizens are serving prison sentences in Russia for drug or theft offenses, including Marc Fogel, who was convicted of illegal possession of cannabis in Russia.Fogel, who worked as a teacher in Moscow, was arrested in 2021 on drug charges after entering the country with cannabis and sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in Russia. His family and lawyer have said he carried it for medical reasons because a doctor had prescribed it to treat “severe back pain.” Fogel was not part of the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War earlier this month. The historic exchange saw the release of 24 prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition politician and one of President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, was also released. Separately, TASS reported, Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina pleaded guilty to treason in a Russian court after she was arrested for donating $51.80 to a charity that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine. Karelina, 33, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February while visiting her grandparents.

A US citizen has been sentenced to 15 days in a Russian prison for “minor hooliganism” after attacking a police officer, a Moscow court said.

Video above: Released Americans land on US soil after historic, multinational prisoner exchange

The American, identified as Joseph Tater, was sentenced to an “administrative penalty in the form of administrative detention for a period of 15 days” by the Moscow Meshchansky Court on Wednesday, according to a post on the official Telegram channel of the Moscow City Courts of General Jurisdiction.

Tater was found guilty of disturbing the peace following earlier reports of police arresting a foreigner who violated public order while staying at a Moscow hotel, Russian state media TASS reported.

“He behaved aggressively, swore and used swear words,” TASS reported, citing the court's press office, adding that Tater “had a [female] Policeman” during his investigation in custody.

Criminal proceedings will also be initiated against Tater for using violence against a government official, TASS reported. The American could also face a prison sentence of up to five years.

CNN has asked the US State Department and the US Embassy in Moscow for comment.

Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said the authorities were He said he was “aware of reports of the arrest of another American citizen in Russia” when asked about Tater during a press conference on Wednesday.

“We are working to get as much information as possible, clarify the consular situation and see if consular access is possible,” Patel said, without giving further details.

Several US citizens are serving prison sentences in Russia for drug offenses or theft. Among them is Marc Fogel, who was convicted in Russia of illegal cannabis possession.

Fogel, who worked as a teacher in Moscow, was arrested in 2021 on drug charges after entering the country with cannabis and sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in Russia. His family and lawyer said he was carrying the drug for medical purposes because it had been prescribed by a doctor to treat “severe back pain.”

Fogel was not part of the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War earlier this month. The historic swap saw the release of 24 prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition politician and one of President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, was also released.

TASS also reported that Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American citizen, pleaded guilty to treason in a Russian court after she was previously arrested for donating $51.80 to a charity that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Karelina, 33, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February while visiting her grandparents.

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