An American Israeli dual citizen has been in detention in Russia since April 12 after Russian authorities discovered nine grams (one-third of an ounce) of cannabis in her luggage.
Naama Issachar, 25, was returning from a trip to India via Moscow. Russian authorities detained her after security guards discovered the small amount of cannabis. Issachar denied that the drugs were hers.
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Although Issachar was in Moscow to board a connecting flight and had no intention of leaving the Moscow International Airport, Russian authorities charged her with smuggling drugs – a far more serious charge than simple possession of an illegal substance and one which leaves little room for negotiation.
Issachar's mother and sister told various news outlets that Issachar was "falling apart," noting that she had been held in a Russian prison for four months under "grueling" conditions.
Issachar made aliyah from the United States and served as a lone soldier in an IDF combat brigade. Upon completing her military service, she traveled to India. She was on her way back to Israel when she was stopped from boarding her connnecting flight in Russia.
She holds dual American Israeli citizenship and her family has appealed to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the US Embassy in Russia, and the local Jewish community for assistance.
According to news reports, representatives of US Embassy have met with her four times, as well as arranged for Issachar to meet with her family. The Chabad rabbi of the city has also helped Issachar by passing on letters to her and offering her a channel of communication with friends and family.
Issachar's trial is scheduled for Tuesday.
