U.S. Citizen Joseph Tater Releases from Psychiatric Care and Exits Russia After Arrest – TASS

Joseph Tater, a U.S. citizen who was detained in Moscow last August and subsequently underwent mandatory psychiatric treatment, has departed from Russia, according to the state news agency TASS.

Tater, who was reported last month by a Kremlin source to be one of nine Americans that the U.S. wished to have returned in a prisoner swap, received a 15-day jail sentence last August for «minor hooliganism» after allegations of mistreating hotel staff in Moscow.

Additionally, Russian state media reported that he was under investigation for a more serious offense involving the assault of a police officer, which could result in a sentence of up to five years.

However, on April 6, a court ruled that Tater should be released from pre-trial detention, determining that he was not criminally liable for his actions following a mental health diagnosis by medical professionals, as reported by state media.

On Friday, TASS shared that Tater had been discharged from the psychiatric hospital where he was receiving care. Unnamed medical sources indicated that there was no justification for his continued stay, leading to his release for outpatient treatment.

TASS also mentioned a law enforcement source stating that Tater’s current location was unknown, but confirmed that he had exited Russia.