A U.S. soldier has been arrested in Russia on charges of theft, Russian state media reported on Tuesday.

The soldier was arrested in Vladivostok, local justice authorities said.

A representative for the Russian Foreign Ministry in Vladivostok described the arrest as involving normal criminal activity.

“The case has nothing to do with politics or spying,” he said.

According to U.S. government representatives, the soldier had been stationed in South Korea and had travelled to Russia on his own initiative.

U.S. National Security Council Communications Director, John Kirby, said, “We are aware of this case.”

U.S. Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith also said that the army had notified his family and that the U.S. State Department was providing “appropriate consular support” to the soldier. 

(dpa/NAN)