Russia extends detention of US citizen for one month

A Russian court on Friday extended for one month the pre-trial detention of U.S. citizen Joseph Tater, who faces up to five years in prison over charges of assaulting a police officer.

Tater was first detained in August and jailed for 15 days for petty hooliganism after he was alleged to have abused staff at a Moscow hotel, something he denied.

The Interfax news agency said Tater subsequently assaulted a police officer, leading to a fresh criminal case. He denied any guilt.

Meshchansky district court extended Tater's detention for one month until November 14, the press service of the Moscow courts said on Friday.

In September, Interfax cited his lawyer as saying that Tater had entered Russia "with the purpose of obtaining political asylum in the Russian Federation in connection with persecution by competent relevant authorities in the United States".

His detention on the hooliganism charge had interrupted his efforts to seek asylum, Interfax cited the lawyer as saying.

According to CNN, Tater was found guilty of disorderly conduct, Russian state media TASS reported, following previous reports of police detaining a foreigner who violated public order while staying at a hotel in Moscow.

“He behaved aggressively, swore, and used foul language,” TASS quoted the court’s press service as saying, adding that Tater had “hit a [female] police officer” during detention.

On Thursday, the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow granted a request made by an investigator to have Tater placed in detention until October 14, the court’s press office announced on Telegram.

It relates to a criminal case he faces for allegedly using violence against a government official. If convicted, the American could face imprisonment for up to five years, TASS said.

Tater has submitted an application through his lawyer not to be placed in detention.

The US embassy in Moscow was aware of the arrest of a US citizen identified as Joseph Tater but declined further comment due to privacy concerns, embassy spokesperson John Fer told CNN on Thursday.

The US State Department said Wednesday it was aware of the reports about Tater.