Russia arrests US citizen on drug dealing charges
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American Michael Travis Leake was formerly a songwriter and musician in the Russian Lovi Noch rock band.
PHOTO: TRAVISLEAKE/INSTAGRAM
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MOSCOW - A US musician and former paratrooper has been arrested in Moscow on drug dealing charges and his court appearance, locked in a metal cage, has been shown on state television.
Russia’s court system named the detained American as Michael Travis Leake, 51, who was formerly a songwriter and musician in the Russian Lovi Noch rock band.
A US State Department spokesman confirmed that Leake was detained in Moscow, adding that officials from the United States embassy there attended his arraignment on Saturday.
“When a US citizen is detained overseas, the department pursues consular access as soon as possible and works to provide all appropriate consular assistance,” the department spokesman said in e-mailed responses. “We will continue to monitor the case closely.”
Rossiya 24 state television showed Leake standing in a court cage, while REN TV showed a picture of him being detained on June 6 in Moscow, lying on the floor in his underwear and a T-shirt with his hands restrained behind his back.
“On June 10, 2023, Moscow’s Khamovniki District Court took a measure of restraint against a US citizen,” according to a statement on the Telegram messaging app by Moscow’s courts of general jurisdiction.
“The former paratrooper and a musician, who is accused of running a drug dealing business involving young people, will remain in custody until Aug 6, 2023.”
It was not clear if Leake had a lawyer.
Reuters was unable to reach Leake for comment as he was in Russian custody.
Messages to the band he was involved in went unanswered.
REN TV said a suspicious substance was found at Leake’s apartment.
Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that if found guilty, Leake could face up to 12 years in prison.
A source who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation told Reuters that the rock group he was part of had not played a concert since 2019.
When Leake initially came to Moscow, he worked as an English teacher and helped translate songs for Russian bands.
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