A court in Moscow has upheld the conviction of an American citizen, dismissing his appeal against a sentence related to drug offenses.

Robert Woodland, a U.S. citizen who was born in Russia, was found guilty by the Ostankino District Court in July for his involvement in attempted drug trafficking, receiving a prison sentence of 12 and a half years. The Moscow City Court confirmed this ruling on Tuesday, ultimately rejecting Woodland’s attempt to overturn the verdict.

Reports from Russian media indicate that Woodland’s background aligns with that of an American who, in 2020, shared his story of being born in the Perm region of the Ural Mountains in 1991 and later adopted by an American family at the age of two. The individual remarked about his quest to locate his biological mother, which culminated in a reunion televised for viewers. Additionally, there are claims that Woodland possesses dual citizenship, holding both American and Russian passports.

The trend of arresting American nationals in Russia appears to be rising, a situation that coincides with deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington, reminiscent of Cold War tensions, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. government has accused Russia of intentionally detaining its citizens and employing them as pawns for political negotiations, whereas Russian authorities maintain that all detained individuals have infringed the law.

Some American detainees have been released in exchange for Russian nationals held in the United States, yet for others, the chance of being part of a prisoner swap remains uncertain.