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

A Russian court 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. The State Department did not instantly respond to a petition for remark from Fox News Digital. 

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. 

At the clip of Woodland's apprehension successful January 2024, the U.S. State Department stated it "has nary greater precedence than the information and information of U.S. citizens overseas."

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 charity 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.