Russian authorities released American Karob Byers, who faced drug smuggling charges late Sunday, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
The 28-year-old Byers was on a trip with Russian fiancee, Naida Mambetva, on February 7 after allegedly discovered a cannabis covered marmalade in baggage at Moscow's Vnukovo airport. He was arrested.
Authorities have moved Buyers to the US embassy in Moscow, waiting for their return, according to independent Russian news outlet Meduza, AP News. It has been reported.
Breaking: Kalob Byers, a 28-year-old American citizen, was detained in Russia earlier this month on drug smuggling charges, but was released from detention, a Kremlin spokesperson said. https://t.co/m9gvld0pn5
– ABC News (@ABC) February 17, 2025
The timing of Byers' release appears to be strategic, coming just before a scheduled meeting between Saudi Arabia's Russia and the US. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow aims to discuss “restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations” during future negotiations.
The incident follows the pattern of Russian American detention amid tensions in the Ukrainian War. Earlier in February, Pennsylvania teacher Mark Vogel returned to the United States after serving part of a 14-year sentence allegedly in possession of medical marijuana. His release came through the prisoner exchange that brought Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert, back to Moscow. (Related: “I'm So Fun”: Freed Russian prisoners fight tears visible as they celebrate their release at the White House)
The situation in Mambetoba, facing identical charges and pre-trial detention, remains unknown. If convicted, both could be in prison for up to 10 years of drug smuggling, the outlet reported. Recent debates between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have opened the door to potential negotiations regarding the Ukrainian conflict.
