Russian court begins trial of U.S. soldier arrested on theft charges

A court in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok on Thursday began the trial of an American soldier arrested in the city earlier this year on charges of stealing.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, flew to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. officials and Russian authorities. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.