By
The Associated Press
MOSCOW - The investigation of an American who was arrested on drug charges and whom Russians have accused of ties with U.S. intelligence is nearly complete, a police official said yesterday.
John Tobin, a graduate student studying in Voronezh, 300 miles south of Moscow, was arrested Feb. 1 and held on suspicion of possessing 0.15 ounces of marijuana. Officials said he also could be charged with distribution of the drug. He faces a possible 10 years in prison if convicted.
Pavel Bolshunov, a spokesman for the Federal Security Service in Voronezh, said the case could be forwarded to the court as soon as tomorrow.
"Our courts are overloaded with work, but Tobin's case is an exception and we hope that a judge will consider the case as soon as possible," Bolshunov said. "We expect that hearings will be scheduled for the beginning of April."
Tobin's case has attracted attention because the Federal Security Service said he had ties to U.S. intelligence services. However, the agency stressed that he was not caught spying and no espionage charges would be filed.
Bolshunov said Tobin was feeling well. "He has a television in his jail cell and can read newspapers," he said.
