Russian court sentences American Chuck Zimmerman to 5 years for weapons charge

Russian sentence follows weapon discovery on a yacht

A Russian court sentenced American Chuck Zimmerman to five years in prison on charges of illegally transporting weapons, according to court officials described by the Krasnodar regional courts’ press service.

The Sochi court imposed the sentence after a firearm was found on Zimmerman’s yacht in June, the press service said. It said Russian authorities discovered the weapon while inspecting the yacht upon arrival in Sochi.

Conviction upheld on appeal

Court records seen by The Associated Press showed Zimmerman was convicted in October. The records also showed the Sochi verdict was upheld two months later by the Krasnodar regional court, according to the AP’s account of the documents.

A website created to support Zimmerman describes him as a U.S. Navy veteran, a father of two, and an electrician, and it said his family has rejected the charges as a “set-up” intended for a future prisoner exchange.

Zimmerman told the court he acted for self-defense

The press service statement said Zimmerman told the court he traveled to Russia to meet a woman he had previously contacted online. It also said he told the court he had the gun for self defense and was unaware of Russian laws.

The statement further said Zimmerman fully admitted guilt.

Sister challenges the case as a “set-up”

Zimmerman’s sister, Robin Stultz, said her brother was intercepted while sailing in international waters with “absolutely no intention to enter Russia.”

In a statement shared with the AP, Stultz said Zimmerman was sailing from the U.S. to New Zealand, that there was “absolutely no intention to enter Russia,” and that he disclosed the firearm voluntarily. She said Russian authorities then charged him with arms smuggling and described it as “an obvious set-up to get another American they can trade,” adding: “He needs to be declared wrongfully detained.”

Stultz also said she wouldn’t trust any “confession” the Russians claimed Zimmerman gave and said he had not been able to meet with anyone from the U.S. Embassy since his arrest.

No immediate comment from the United States

The AP reported there was no immediate comment from U.S. officials.

Zimmerman was described as one of a few Americans still in Russian custody after a series of high-profile prisoner exchanges between the two countries in recent years. The AP said arrests of Americans in Russia and subsequent prisoner swaps have become increasingly common as Moscow and Washington relations have deteriorated.