Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2001 Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, The (US) Copyright: 2001 by The Chronicle of Higher Education Contact: http://chronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/84 Author: Jennifer Yachnin U.S. FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR WHO WAS JAILED ON DRUG CHARGE IN RUSSIA MAY WIN AMNESTY An American Fulbright scholar who was convicted in Russia of possessing and distributing marijuana could be granted amnesty next week to return home, following a decision by a Russian court on Thursday to reduce his prison sentence to one year from three years. U.S. Rep. James H. Maloney confirmed that a regional court in Voronezh, Russia, about 300 miles southwest of Moscow, had reviewed charges brought against John (Jack) E. Tobin in January, after he was arrested for carrying a matchbox that contained marijuana. The court dismissed one of two remaining drug-related charges against Mr. Tobin, but upheld a conviction for drug possession, which carries a one-year sentence. Mr. Tobin, who had been conducting postgraduate research at Voronezh State University, has spent four months in a Voronezh prison. Mr. Maloney, a Democrat of Connecticut, where Mr. Tobin is from, met with the Russian ambassador to the United States on Thursday. The congressman said that Mr. Tobin may now qualify for amnesty. To honor its 10th anniversary, on June 12, the Russian Federation is preparing an amnesty program that could be announced sometime next week. "The tremendous significance of the action by the court is not merely that it reduces Jack's sentence by more than two-thirds, but it makes it much more likely that the amnesty program would reach Jack Tobin," said Mr. Maloney. Amnesty in Russia is typically given to first-time offenders or nonviolent criminals who are serving relatively short prison terms, he added. Mr. Tobin's father, John Tobin Sr., said the court's decision is an indication that his son may receive amnesty. "His attorney seems to think it's a good possibility," the senior Mr. Tobin said. "I hope it can work. Certainly the reduction of the sentence today is a move in that direction." Although local authorities had initially brought four drug-related charges against the Fulbright scholar, two were dropped for lack of evidence and witnesses. Mr. Tobin could also request a pardon, but Mr. Maloney said that was unlikely. "Jack Tobin all this time has said he is innocent of the charges, and has not wanted to request a pardon," he said. Mr. Tobin's lawyer has contended that the drugs were planted on his client. In the meantime, Mr. Maloney said he was drafting a letter to President Bush, who is scheduled to meet with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on June 16. The letter, signed by 45 members of Congress, asks Mr. Bush to raise the Tobin case at the meeting, if it has not been resolved by then. The case attracted worldwide interest when a local branch of the Russian security service accused Mr. Tobin, 24, of being an apprentice spy who was carrying out on-site training. No espionage charges were filed against him, however. - --- MAP posted-by: Andrew