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Russia wants to privately try older Americans accused of mercenary activities

The trial of a 72-year-old American who Russia accuses of working as a mercenary for Ukraine will take place behind closed doors, Russian state media reported on Thursday.

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 a prison sentence of seven to 15 years.

State news agency RIA said the judge on Thursday approved a prosecutor's request to keep the proceedings secret to ensure the safety of participants. It was not clear why the prosecutor believed an open trial would have endangered her.

RIA said Hubbard himself supported the move and said he did not want outsiders to be present. The news outlet said Monday he had pleaded guilty to the charges.

Hubbard's sister Patricia Fox and another relative have cast doubt on his reported confession, saying he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have taken up arms at his age.

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