Backpacker jailed in Russia submits formal pardon request

An Israeli-American woman jailed in Russia on drug charges files a request to be pardoned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hebrew media reports.

Naama Issachar’s filing of the request comes after the Kremlin said Friday that she has not formally asked for a pardon, delaying any possible release.

Issachar, 27, was sentenced by Russia to 7.5 years in prison after nearly 10 grams of marijuana was found in her luggage during a layover in a Moscow airport in April. She has denied smuggling drugs, noting she had not sought to enter Russia during the layover on her way to Israel from India, and had no access to her luggage during her brief stay in the Russian airport.

Issachar’s mother on Thursday met with Putin, who was in Jerusalem for the World Holocaust Forum. He told her in a meeting that he will return her daughter home.