Family Finds American Teacher Wrongfully Detained in Russia

After a protracted period of uncertainty regarding his whereabouts, Stephen James Hubbard, a 73-year-old retired American teacher, has been confirmed as detained in a Russian penal colony. His family, which had lost contact with him following a dubious conviction in October, recently received news that he is imprisoned in Mordovia.

In early 2022, Hubbard was forcibly taken from his home in eastern Ukraine by Russian soldiers during the ongoing invasion. The U.S. State Department has classified him as “wrongfully detained,” suggesting that the accusations against him, which include serving as a mercenary for Ukraine, are unfounded. This classification may position him as a key figure in any upcoming prisoner negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.

Hubbard was sentenced last year to nearly seven years in a penal facility after being accused of involvement in hostilities. His case took an unusual turn when Russian authorities removed essential details, including his defense lawyer’s contact information, from public records. Recent documents indicate he is currently being held at IK-12 in Mordovia, an area notorious for its strict penal institutions.

For months, his family faced silence regarding his fate, only recently receiving brief communications from him. As negotiations surrounding prisoner exchanges heat up between the two nations, the advocacy for his release continues to grow, drawing attention to the conditions and legality of such detentions.