After a prolonged absence of information regarding his fate, 73-year-old Stephen James Hubbard, a retired American educator, has been discovered to be incarcerated in a Russian penal colony located in Mordovia. Hubbard, who was taken from his home in eastern Ukraine shortly after the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022, is the only American recognized as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. State Department, suggesting that the charges against him are baseless.
Hubbard was convicted last fall of serving as a mercenary after being accused of operating a checkpoint and fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. His sentence, which totals nearly seven years in a penal colony, led to confusion for his family, who had no reliable access to information about his whereabouts following the initial conviction. Notably, his legal case took an unusual turn when a Russian judge obscured his case file from public access, denying even basic details such as his attorney's information.
Recent communications from Hubbard have elicited hope among his family, as he has been able to reach out to one of his sons. Reports indicate he is currently being held in the notorious IK-12 penal colony, a facility well-known for its severe conditions. His status has amplified the dialogue about human rights and international relations, as it puts pressure on the U.S. administration to advocate for his release and possibly consider him in future negotiations with Russia regarding prisoner exchanges.
