Stephen Hubbard recovers after four years in Russian detention
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Voice of America
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American released after more than four years in detention in Russia, is gradually regaining his physical strength, his sister Patricia said. Arrested in Izium, Ukraine, in April 2022 and convicted of mercenarism in October 2024, he returned to the United States the week before the interview with Voice of America.
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American who was detained in Russia for more than four years, reunited with his sister in the United States after his release. His condition is better than his family had feared, Patricia Hubbard told Voice of America (VOA).
He spent his first days in the United States undergoing medical assessments. After the examinations, he returned home with new clothes, a passport, identity documents and medical records, his sister said. He now needs to regain his strength and muscle mass.
Russian forces arrested Stephen Hubbard in April 2022 in Izium, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russia, where he had lived and taught English since 2014. In October 2024, a Russian court convicted him of mercenarism and sentenced him to between six and 10 years in a penal colony. Patricia Hubbard disputes the accusation and says her brother never intended to join the Ukrainian army or take part in the war.
His sister learnt of his possible release about two days before it happened. She told VOA that their reunion was marked by a long embrace, after her brother returned to the United States the previous week.
