U.S. citizen Joseph Tater, detained in Russia since August 2024 on charges of assaulting a police officer, has been hospitalized following a court decision, according to TASS. Details regarding his medical condition and the reasons for his hospitalization have not been disclosed.
U.S. citizen Joseph Tater has been detained in Russia since August 2024 following allegations of assaulting a police officer in Moscow. The incident reportedly occurred after Tater allegedly abused staff at a Moscow hotel, leading to his initial detention.
In September 2024, during an appeal hearing at the Moscow City Court, Tater publicly renounced his U.S. citizenship, claiming he was a victim of political persecution in the United States. He alleged that the CIA had been targeting him for years and stated, "My life is being threatened in the United States." Addressing U.S. embassy officials present in the courtroom, Tater declared, "I am no longer a U.S. citizen; I ask you to leave the courtroom."
The court upheld his pre-trial detention, extending it multiple times, with the most recent extension occurring in February 2025. If convicted of the charges, Tater faces up to five years in prison.
Tater is among several American citizens currently detained in Russia amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington. The U.S. government has expressed concerns over the arrests of its citizens in Russia, suggesting they may be used as political leverage.
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