U.S.-Russian Woman Detained at Moscow Airport for Gun Smuggling

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U.S.-Russian Woman Detained at Moscow Airport for Gun Smuggling

4 months ago

News sources:

NEWSWEEK

CBSNEWS

INDIATIMES

U.S.-Russian Woman Detained at Moscow Airport for Gun Smuggling

Credited from: INDIATIMES

A dual U.S.-Russian citizen was detained at Moscow Vnukovo Airport.
She was found with a gun and a $138,000 bank check in her suitcase.
The woman claimed ignorance regarding customs declaration laws.
Russia has strict gun laws and has initiated a criminal case against her.
U.S. citizens have faced increasing detentions in Russia amid heightened tensions.

A dual U.S.-Russian citizen was detained by Russian customs agents upon her arrival at Moscow Vnukovo International Airport after attempting to smuggle a gun into the country. The Federal Customs Service reported that officers discovered an American Colt Combat Commander .45 caliber pistol and a bank check worth $138,000 in her suitcase during a routine inspection, according to Newsweek and CBS News.

The woman was stopped while traveling from the U.S. via Turkey and stated that she was unaware of her obligation to declare such items at customs, a claim that highlights gaps in awareness of legal requirements, particularly involving dual citizenship, according to India Times and CBS News.

This arrest occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and Russia, with numerous U.S. citizens experiencing wrongful detention in the country in recent years. The U.S. State Department has issued advisories against travel to Russia, noting the risk of "harassment or wrongful detention by Russian security officials," according to Newsweek and CBS News.