US citizen accused of fighting for Ukraine faces seven-year prison sentence in Moscow – Firstpost

A Russian prosecutor has called for a seven-year prison sentence for a 72-year-old American whom Russia accuses of working as a mercenary for Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.

Stephen Hubbard is accused of signing a $1,000-a-month contract with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in the city of Izyum in February 2022. He was captured by Russian forces in April of that year and faces seven to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The Russian news agency RIA reported that Hubbard pleaded guilty at a hearing in Moscow City Court on Monday. Hubbard's sister and another relative cast doubt on his reported confession, telling Reuters that he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have taken up arms at his age.

Reuters could not immediately reach his lawyer for comment on Monday.

Hubbard's trial will be held behind closed doors and the verdict will be announced on October 7th.

Hubbard is one of at least 10 U.S. citizens behind bars in Russia. In a prisoner exchange between Moscow and the West on August 1, 24 people were released, including three Americans.