A US citizen, Robert Woodland, has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in a maximum-security penal colony in Moscow after being found guilty of attempted drug trafficking. The Ostankino District Court of Moscow stated that Woodland was part of an organized group attempting to traffic large amounts of illegal drugs.
Woodland's lawyers have announced plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that his guilt has not been proven. They also highlighted Woodland's mental health issues, which were not taken into account during the trial.
The prosecution stated that Woodland was caught trying to hide a significant quantity of mephedrone in an apartment in Moscow. He had allegedly transported the synthetic stimulant to the apartment and was preparing the drugs for illegal sale.
Woodland, a US citizen of Russian origin who was adopted by American scientists, returned to Russia 27 years later. Born in 1991 as Roman Romanov in the Perm Krai region, he was reported to have been brought to the US at the age of two.
Woodland is among several US citizens and dual nationals currently detained in Russia, including Evan Gershkovich, who is facing espionage charges. Western officials and analysts have accused Russia of using detained Americans as political leverage in negotiations with the US.
Paul Whelan, another American serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges in Russia, has called on US President Joe Biden to handle his case as he would if his own son were being held hostage.
