(CNN) The parents of Trevor Reed, an American who has been imprisoned in Russia for almost two years, revealed for the first time on Thursday that their son served as a Marine presidential guard -- a fact they believe led Russia to target him for what they say is wrongful detention. "We believe this is one of the main reasons why he was held by the Russians," Joey Reed said, adding that his son was questioned by Russia's Federal Security Service about his military service. CNN has reached out to the Russian embassy for comment. A Russian court sentenced Trevor Reed to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering "life and health" of Russian police officers in an altercation after a night of drinking. Reed and his family have denied the charges and US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan called the trial "theater of the absurd."

Source: CNN April 01, 2021 22:30 UTC