Pubdate: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 RUSSIA: AMERICAN'S TRIAL OPENS The trial of an American on drug charges opened in Voronezh, in central Russia. John Tobin, left, a 24-year-old Fulbright scholar, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted. He denies any wrongdoing and says marijuana found in his apartment was planted by the police. The security force also says he was training to be a spy, but admits there are no grounds to prosecute him. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe