A Russian court on Monday sentenced 72-year-old American national Stephen James Hubbard to nearly seven years in prison for helping protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.
Russian prosecutor said Mr. Hubbard joined the defense force in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izum shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. After the city was captured in April 2022, he was taken prisoner by Russian forces. The Ukrainian army succeeded in driving the Russian army out of Izum in one blow. It struck back about five months later.
prosecutor said He “systematically received material rewards” for his efforts, amounting to about $1,000 per month. They also claimed that Mr. Hubbard was trained and armed by the Ukrainian military.
Mr. Hubbard is a native of Big Rapids, Michigan. In a video interview posted on the Telegram messaging platform in May 2022, he said that he moved to Izuyum in 2014 and was “living happily with his wife.”
Mr. Hubbard reportedly admitted to the charges last month, but his sister, Trisha Hubbard Fox, discussed vigorously that the case against him was fabricated.
“Russian prosecutors are lying! Steve was never a mercenary. He was an English teacher teaching English abroad!” she posted on Facebook last month.
Other family members have said Mr. Hubbard was separated from his relatives for many years, teaching English in countries such as Japan and Cyprus. Fox said her brother lives quietly in Ukraine on a pension of about $300 a month and doesn't speak Russian or Ukrainian.
A screen installed in the hall of the Moscow City Court shows the image of Stephen Hubbard, 72, a US national charged with fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, on October 7, 2024 in Moscow. It broadcasts the announcement of verdicts in court cases. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox pointed out that Ukraine does not accept volunteers over the age of 60. In a video from the Russian courtroom, Mr. Hubbard appeared so frail that he could barely stand.
“Russia knows this, but the courts are indicting Stephen James Hubbard anyway to save face for kidnapping, beating and keeping my brother in custody,” she charged. .
The Russian government has not explained why Mr. Hubbard was held for more than two years before his trial. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry generally declines to comment on his case.
Biden administration complained in vain On Monday, Hubbard announced, without even mentioning his name, that he was not being granted consular access.
“There is limited information available on this case because Russia is denying us access to its consulate. However, I will tell you some things about this case. This person is 72 years old and has been in prison for two years. He was arrested in Ukraine, not Russia,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
“Russia should grant him consular access on behalf of the United States, just as it would when detaining an American citizen. And we are watching this incident very closely as we consider our next steps.” “There is,” he said.
When pressed on the issue, Miller clarified that Russia “refuses” to grant Hubbard access to its consulate.
“When they deny us access to a consulate, which is often the case, we are disappointed. They have an obligation to provide it, and we will continue to ask for it.” he said.
When reporters pursued the issue and asked whether Russia could easily deny access to American citizens it has held for more than two years, Miller seemed perplexed.
“If there is any further information, it is not here. His American nationality is certainly not in dispute,” he said.
