A Moscow court on Friday began hearing the case of a 72-year-old American man accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.
“Moscow City Court began hearing the criminal case of 72-year-old American… over participating as a mercenary in the armed conflict on the side of Ukraine,” RIA Novosti news agency said.
It identified the man as Stefan Hubbard but said his name could be spelled differently, with posts on social media suggesting the name could be Stephen Hubbard.
“We are aware of the reports of the arrest of an American citizen. Due to privacy restrictions we are unable to comment any further,” the US embassy in Moscow said in a statement.
The pensioner from Michigan moved to Ukraine in 2014, RIA Novosti said.
The reports did not make clear when or how the American arrived in Moscow.
At the hearing at Moscow’s highest city court,…