An American citizen who was found guilty of illegally crossing the Russian border has been deported back to the United States. Julio Prieto, a resident of the state of Colorado, is to return to the U.S. on an Aeroflot flight at the Russian government's expense.
Prieto said that he was "disappointed" and that he had hoped to experience "that famous Russian hospitality."
On Sep. 14 Julio Prieto attempted to enter Russia from Kazakhstan by car. After being denied entry because he lacked a visa, he attempted to cross the border again by going around the checkpoint.
Prieto admitted to the crime of crossing the border illegally and paid a fine of 7000 rubles ($105). He claimed that he was trying to emigrate to Russia for "a better life."
