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The Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin ordered the release of a US citizen who was detained on charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana, ahead of crucial talks between US and Russia regarding the Ukraine war.
Kalob Byers Wayne, 28, was detained by the Russian administration on February 7 during a baggage check at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after customs officials found cannabis-laced marmalade in his luggage, Reuters reported.
The development of Wayne’s release comes hours before a crucial meeting between Russian and US officials related to bringing a pause to the Ukraine war, which is set to commence in Saudi Arabia.
A Kremlin spokesperson said that the talks between US and Russia in Saudi Arabia aim to restore relations between Moscow and Washington, and “so certain events can be viewed in this context”, the New York Times reported.
A CNN report stated that Wayne has been released from prison, and is in the US embassy in Moscow, where he is awaiting for flight back to America.
Reports suggest that Wayne had travelled to Russia from Istanbul along with his Russian fiancée, who was also detained at the airport.
The Russian authorities had said that Wayne allegedly attempted to smuggle “significant amounts” of drugs into the country and was charged with drug smuggling, which is punishable with up to 10 years in prison.
However, there was no clarity if Wayne’s Russian fiancée was also released. According to Russia’s local media, she was identified as Naida Mambetova and the same charges were levelled against her as she was placed in pretrial detention.
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