Russia releases American teacher held on Ukraine mercenary charges
Russia freed the 74-year-old American who was convicted of mercenary charges the U.S. called fabricated.
Palanor Wire · composed from 3 outlets · every claim links to its sources
What happened
Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American teacher, after holding him for more than four years. 123 Hubbard had been imprisoned on charges of working as a mercenary in Ukraine. 123 He was convicted in a 2024 closed-door trial to nearly seven years in prison. 2 U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced the release during a meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg. 3
Why it matters
The U.S. said the charges against Hubbard were fabricated. 1
Sources · 3
[1]Russia on Wednesday released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American teacher, after holding him as a prisoner for more than four years. He had been convicted of working for Ukraine as a mercenary, charges that the U.S. said were fabricated. Here's what to know.
The New York Times · Bluesky
[2]Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
The Associated Press · Bluesky
[3]Rusia libera a estadounidense que estuvo preso durante cuatro años tras ser acusado de trabajar como mercenario en Ucrania
La Tercera
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