Trial of 72-year-old US teacher accused by Russia of being a mercenary to be held behind closed doors

The trial of a 72-year-old American man accused by Russian authorities of mercenarism will be held behind closed doors, Russian state media reported on Thursday. On Monday, Stephen Hubbard pleaded guilty to receiving money in Ukraine for participating in military actions against Russia, the Voice of America reports.

The defendant is accused of signing a $1,000-a-month contract with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in the town of Izyum in February 2022. He was captured by Russian forces in April of that year and faces seven to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that a judge on Thursday granted a prosecutor's motion to hold the trial behind closed doors to ensure the safety of those involved. It is unclear why the prosecutor believed they would be in danger in an open trial. RIA reported that Hubbard supported the move, saying he did not want outsiders present.

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A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said last week he was aware of the American citizen's detention.

Prosecutors said Hubbard was given training, weapons and ammunition when he allegedly registered as a mercenary.

Hubbard's sister Patricia Fox and another relative questioned his confession, saying he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have picked up a gun at his age.

Hubbard, a Michigan native, taught English overseas for decades, including in Japan and Cyprus, Patricia Fox told Reuters.

She denies her brother was a mercenary and says he had no interest in fighting in any war. She says Hubbard was too old to fight, did not own a gun and was “more of a pacifist.”

She says Hubbard moved to Ukraine in 2014 and lived there for a time with a girlfriend.

Fox said she last spoke to Hubbard in September 2021 via Skype. She says he had separated from his girlfriend and was living alone.

Hubbard one of at least a dozen Americans behind bars in Russia, nearly two months after a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West on August 1 freed three U.S. citizens and dozens of others.

By Sergey Daga