An American was sentenced to four years in prison in Russia on Tuesday for allegedly trying to fly from a Moscow airport with the cache of Kalashnikov assault rifles in his suitcase, a report said.
The unnamed US citizen, who collects Kalashnikov weapons, failed to file a customs declaration after purchasing two shares and checking a suitcase containing the items at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, Reuters reported, citing state news agency RIA Novosti.
He was later found guilty under an article of Russia’s criminal code relating to weapons smuggling, it added.
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AK-47 rifles are seen during a training session at a shooting range outside Kiev, Ukraine, on the left, in July 2023. On the right are passenger planes at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. An American has reportedly been jailed after trying to transport Kalashnikov rifle butts in a suitcase at the airport. (STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images; Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Russian state media also claim that the American has partially admitted guilt. according to Reuters.
The State Department is warning Americans not to travel to Russia “for any reason due to terrorism, civil unrest, unlawful detention and other risks.”
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A Kalashnikov belonging to a Ukrainian soldier taking part in a shooting training is seen in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on July 31, 2024. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has limited ability to assist in the event of the detention of a U.S. citizen. There is no guarantee that the Russian government will grant the U.S. Embassy consular access to detained U.S. citizens,” the State Department said. “US citizens can serve their entire prison sentence without release. The risk of unlawful detention of US citizens remains high. Even if a case is found unlawful, there is no guarantee of release.”
A terminal at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, in August 2023. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)
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“Russian officials often interrogate and threaten U.S. citizens without cause. Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges,” it added. They have denied them fair treatment and convicted them without credible evidence. Russian authorities have opened questionable investigations against American citizens for their religious activities.”
