Russia Arrests Musician And Former US Umbrella Driver On Charges Of Drug Trafficking

Illustration. (Pixabay/4711018)

JAKARTA - A musician and former US paratrooper were arrested in Moscow on charges of drug trafficking, with Russian state television showing his presence in court.

The Russian court system identified the detained US citizen as Michael Travis Leake (51), who was previously a songwriter and musician in the Russian rock band "Lovi Noch" ("Catch the Night").

A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed Leake was detained in Moscow, adding officials from the US Embassy in Moscow attended the reading of the indictment on June 10.

"When a US citizen is detained abroad, the department seeks consular access as soon as possible and works to provide all appropriate consular assistance," a department spokesman said in an emailed response.

"We will continue to monitor this case closely," he continued.

Government Television Rossiya 24 broadcasts Leake standing in court confinement, while REN TV broadcasts his image while being held on June 6 in Moscow.

"On June 10, 2023, Moscow's Khamovniki District Court took action against a US citizen," the Telegram messaging app said in a Moscow general jurisdiction.

"Former paratroopers and musician, accused of running a drug trafficking business involving young people, will remain in custody until August 6, 2023," the statement said.

It's unclear whether Leake has a lawyer. Reuters was unable to reach Leake for comment, because he was in Russian custody. Messages to the band where he belongs are answered.

REN TV said a suspicious substance was found in Leake's apartment. Meanwhile, Russia's Interfax news agency reported that if found guilty, Leake could face up to 12 years in prison.

A source who did not want to be named, due to the sensitivity of the situation, told the rock music group he had participated in had not held a concert since 2019.

When Leake first came to Moscow, he worked as an English teacher and helped translate songs for Russian bands.

Since the war in Ukraine began in February last year, the United States has repeatedly told its citizens to leave Russia, due to the risk of arbitrary arrests or harassment by Russian law enforcement agencies.

Last December, US basketball star Brittney Griner was released in a prisoner swap, after being sentenced to nine years in prison for possessing a vape cartridge containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia, following a judicial process deemed fake by Washington.

Meanwhile, Paul Whelan, a former US marine, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in a Russian prison colony after being found guilty of espionage charges that Washington said were also fake.

Most recently, Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, a US citizen, was arrested in March on espionage charges he denied, the Wall Street Journal and Washington.