A former United States paratrooper and musician was arrested on Sunday (June 11) in Russian capital Moscow on drug charges. He is reported to be in custody at least for two months pending a possible trial.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the court appearance?</h2>

Khamovniki District Court of Moscow has said that the name of the American citizen is Michael Travis Leake, the spelling of his name has since been disputed. The 51-year-old was described as a “former paratrooper and musician” and accused of running a drug dealing business.&nbsp;

He was seen on Russian state television locked in a metal cage. Meanwhile, REN TV has previously shown an image of him being detained on June 6 in Moscow, lying on the floor in his underpants and a t-shirt with his hands restrained behind his back, reported Reuters. The US citizen was reportedly presented in the court on June 10.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/evan-gershkovich-us-journalist-arrested-in-russia-on-charges-of-espionage-denied-bail-583727">Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail</a>

In a statement, Moscow’s courts of general jurisdiction said, “On June 10, 2023, Moscow's Khamovniki District Court took a measure of restraint against a US citizen.” The message on Telegram added, “The former paratrooper and a musician, who is accused of running a drug dealing business involving young people, will remain in custody until Aug. 6, 2023.”

According to Russian media reports, if convicted, the 51-year-old could face 12 years in prison. The suspicious substance was found at Leake’s apartment, reported REN TV.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the US citizen and his arrest?</h2>

As per media reports, the US citizen had been living in Russia for some years now. Notably, Leake’s arrest comes amid deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington as Russia has arrested several US citizens recently.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brittney-griner-breaks-silence-on-return-from-russia-to-play-in-wnba-in-2023-543834">Brittney Griner breaks silence on return from Russia, to play in WNBA in 2023</a>

Washington has also accused Moscow of arbitrary detentions of US citizens for use as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russians jailed in the United States. It was not immediately clear if Leake had access to legal counsel.&nbsp;

An anonymous source told Reuters, that the rock group that Leake was a part of had not played a concert since 2019. Additionally, when the US citizen first came to Moscow he worked as an English teacher and helped translate songs for Russian bands, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>How has the US responded to the arrest?</h2>

A US state department spokesperson said they are aware of the arrest but did not reveal any further details citing privacy concerns. “We are aware of reports of the recent arrest of a US citizen in Moscow. When a US citizen is detained overseas, the department pursues consular access as soon as possible and works to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A former United States paratrooper and musician was arrested on Sunday (June 11) in Russian capital Moscow on drug charges. He is reported to be in custody at least for two months pending a possible trial.

A former United States paratrooper and musician was arrested on Sunday (June 11) in Russian capital Moscow on drug charges. He is reported to be in custody at least for two months pending a possible trial. What do we know about the court appearance? Khamovniki District Court of Moscow has said that the name of the American citizen is Michael Travis Leake, the spelling of his name has since been disputed. The 51-year-old was described as a “former paratrooper and musician” and accused of running a drug dealing business. He was seen on Russian state television locked in a metal cage. Meanwhile, REN TV has previously shown an image of him being detained on June 6 in Moscow, lying on the floor in his underpants and a t-shirt with his hands restrained behind his back, reported Reuters. The US citizen was reportedly presented in the court on June 10. Also read | Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail In a statement, Moscow’s courts of general jurisdiction said, “On June 10, 2023, Moscow's Khamovniki District Court took a measure of restraint against a US citizen.” The message on Telegram added, “The former paratrooper and a musician, who is accused of running a drug dealing business involving young people, will remain in custody until Aug. 6, 2023.” According to Russian media reports, if convicted, the 51-year-old could face 12 years in prison. The suspicious substance was found at Leake’s apartment, reported REN TV. What do we know about the US citizen and his arrest? As per media reports, the US citizen had been living in Russia for some years now. Notably, Leake’s arrest comes amid deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington as Russia has arrested several US citizens recently. Also read | Brittney Griner breaks silence on return from Russia, to play in WNBA in 2023 Washington has also accused Moscow of arbitrary detentions of US citizens for use as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russians jailed in the United States. It was not immediately clear if Leake had access to legal counsel. An anonymous source told Reuters, that the rock group that Leake was a part of had not played a concert since 2019. Additionally, when the US citizen first came to Moscow he worked as an English teacher and helped translate songs for Russian bands, reported Reuters. How has the US responded to the arrest? A US state department spokesperson said they are aware of the arrest but did not reveal any further details citing privacy concerns. “We are aware of reports of the recent arrest of a US citizen in Moscow. When a US citizen is detained overseas, the department pursues consular access as soon as possible and works to provide all appropriate consular assistance.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US citizen arrested in Russia over drug dealing charges

A German court has given an 82-year-old man a "last warning"&nbsp;to avoid imprisonment after he was found guilty of drug dealing for yet another time.

The court announced its verdict after discovering that the man had already been convicted 24 times for committing the very same crime.

As per the AP reports, the retired seaman was handed a suspended sentence by a court in the northern town of Aurich on Monday.

The accused said that he wanted to improve his sparse monthly pension, which was around 800 euros ($855), by selling marijuana.

The prosecutors had asked the court to impose a jail term of a minimum of 34 months in view of the man's lengthy criminal record and an existing suspended sentence, AP cited German news agency dpa as saying.

But, according to the reports, the judges said that taking the man's recent health problems and particular circumstances into consideration, they would make an exception and classify the latest crimes as "less serious offences".

As per AP, dpa quoted the presiding judge as telling the accused that it was his “very last warning.”&nbsp;

<h2>Germany, Italy clamp down on notorious mafia group 'Ndrangheta'</h2>

Last month, German and Italian police arrested more than 100 members of the Italian ’Ndrangheta' organised crime syndicate as part of a "wide-scale" operation. In Germany, more than 1,000 officers searched dozens of homes, offices and stores across Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. Operations also took place in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta' is regarded as the world's richest organised crime group and European authorities have been waging a war against it for years. The mafia group has managed to earn revenues in excess of tens of billions of dollars by selling cocaine over the decades.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-biggest-ever-drug-haul-officials-seize-15000-blots-busts-dark-net-ring-of-drug-traffickers-601283">&nbsp;India's biggest-ever drug haul: Officials seize 15,000 blots, busts 'dark net' ring of drug traffickers</a>

Police in Bavaria said the arrests made were the culmination of a three-year investigation effort codenamed Operation Eureka. Michael Ebling, State Interior Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, said the arrests were an "effective blow" to organised crime.

“Today sends out a very clear signal: There is no place for organised crime in Europe and there is certainly no place for it here with us in Rhineland-Palatinate,” Ebling was quoted as saying by dpa.

<h2>Ndrangheta's genesis</h2>

The mafia group's genesis dates back to the 18th century. Unlike most modern-day mafia groups, members of 'Ndrangheta' still follow ancient rites which are passed down orally and through secret codes. To avoid the clutches of&nbsp;law enforcement agencies, the group members avoid speaking on phones entirely, opting to drive hundreds of miles for a meeting.

It consists of autonomous clans known as 'ndrine' which are based almost exclusively on blood ties. It has a monopoly on drug trafficking in Europe and also deals in arms trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, extortion, loan sharking, and prostitution.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A German court has given an 82-year-old man a "last warning" to avoid imprisonment after he was found guilty of drug dealing for yet another time. The court announced its verdict after discovering that the man had already been convicted 24 times for committing the very same crime.

A German court has given an 82-year-old man a "last warning" to avoid imprisonment after he was found guilty of drug dealing for yet another time. The court announced its verdict after discovering that the man had already been convicted 24 times for committing the very same crime. As per the AP reports, the retired seaman was handed a suspended sentence by a court in the northern town of Aurich on Monday. The accused said that he wanted to improve his sparse monthly pension, which was around 800 euros ($855), by selling marijuana. The prosecutors had asked the court to impose a jail term of a minimum of 34 months in view of the man's lengthy criminal record and an existing suspended sentence, AP cited German news agency dpa as saying. But, according to the reports, the judges said that taking the man's recent health problems and particular circumstances into consideration, they would make an exception and classify the latest crimes as "less serious offences". As per AP, dpa quoted the presiding judge as telling the accused that it was his “very last warning.” Germany, Italy clamp down on notorious mafia group 'Ndrangheta' Last month, German and Italian police arrested more than 100 members of the Italian ’Ndrangheta' organised crime syndicate as part of a "wide-scale" operation. In Germany, more than 1,000 officers searched dozens of homes, offices and stores across Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia. Operations also took place in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta' is regarded as the world's richest organised crime group and European authorities have been waging a war against it for years. The mafia group has managed to earn revenues in excess of tens of billions of dollars by selling cocaine over the decades. Also read: India's biggest-ever drug haul: Officials seize 15,000 blots, busts 'dark net' ring of drug traffickers Police in Bavaria said the arrests made were the culmination of a three-year investigation effort codenamed Operation Eureka. Michael Ebling, State Interior Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, said the arrests were an "effective blow" to organised crime. “Today sends out a very clear signal: There is no place for organised crime in Europe and there is certainly no place for it here with us in Rhineland-Palatinate,” Ebling was quoted as saying by dpa. Ndrangheta's genesis The mafia group's genesis dates back to the 18th century. Unlike most modern-day mafia groups, members of 'Ndrangheta' still follow ancient rites which are passed down orally and through secret codes. To avoid the clutches of law enforcement agencies, the group members avoid speaking on phones entirely, opting to drive hundreds of miles for a meeting. It consists of autonomous clans known as 'ndrine' which are based almost exclusively on blood ties. It has a monopoly on drug trafficking in Europe and also deals in arms trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, extortion, loan sharking, and prostitution. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

German court gives 'last warning' to 82-year-old drug dealer already convicted 24 times

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