Russia reduces sentence for American Robert Woodland, who was convicted on drug charges

A Russian tribunal reportedly slashed the condemnation of an American who has been held overseas pursuing a cause trafficking conviction. 

The condemnation of Robert Woodland was reduced from 12.5 years to 9.5 years connected Tuesday, his attorney, Stanislav Kshevitsky, told Reuters. 

It’s unclear wherefore Woodland’s condemnation was shortened. A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital connected Tuesday that embassy officials successful Russia are intimately monitoring the lawsuit and that the State Department has nary higher precedence than the information and information of Americans overseas.

Woodland was recovered blameworthy past July of attempting to merchantability drugs aft helium was arrested and recovered to beryllium successful possession of 50 grams of mephedrone, Reuters reported, citing prosecutors. 

RUSSIAN-AMERICAN BALLERINA KSENIA KARELINA HAS MESSAGE FOR TRUMP AFTER RELEASE FROM RUSSIA 

U.S. national Robert Woodland sits down a solid partition of an enclosure for defendants earlier a tribunal proceeding successful Moscow, Russia, connected May 30, 2024. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

Woodland, calved successful Russia successful 1991, was adopted by American parents astatine the property of 2. He returned to Russia astatine the property of 26 successful bid to conscionable his commencement mother, helium claimed. 

He was past arrested successful Russia successful January 2024,

Kshevitsky said Woodland has partially admitted guilt, according to Reuters. 

AMERICAN MARC FOGEL RELEASED FROM RUSSIAN CUSTODY 

Robert Woodland was sentenced to 12.5 years successful situation successful Russia past twelvemonth aft being convicted connected a cause charge. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

Woodland remains held successful Russia contempt a fig of caller captive releases during the Trump administration. 

Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina, who was wrongfully detained successful Russia for much than a year, was released earlier this period arsenic portion of a captive swap.

Karelina was sentenced to 12 years successful a Russian penal colony aft pleading blameworthy to treason for donating $51.80 to a Ukrainian foundation successful aboriginal 2024. 

Ksenia Karelina walks with her fiancé, nonrecreational boxer Chris van Heerden, arsenic she arrives astatine Joint Base Andrews successful Maryland, connected April 10, pursuing her merchandise from Russia. (AP/Alex Brandon)

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In February, Trump brought American past teacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained successful Russia since 2021, backmost to the U.S. 

Fox News’ Jasmine Baehr, Elizabeth Pritchett and Alex Hogan contributed to this report.