WASHINGTON, December 10. /TASS/. The US is aware of the arrest of Yury Malev, a citizen of both Russia and the United States, in St. Petersburg and is working on providing him with assistance, a State Department spokesman told a TASS correspondent.

"We are aware of reports of the detention of a US citizen in Russia. When a US citizen is detained overseas, the Department works to provide all appropriate assistance," the diplomat said when asked to comment on Malev's arrest.

"We have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas," he added. At the same time, the State Department spokesman declined to answer other questions about the arrest. "We have nothing further to share [on this case], at this time," the diplomat concluded.

According to the joint press service of the St. Petersburg courts, Malev is accused of rehabilitating Nazism. He was detained on December 8, the same day he was charged. He pleaded partially guilty. According to the investigation, on June 8, 2022, Malev, knowing well that the St. George ribbon is a symbol of military valor and glory, posted on his Odnoklassniki account its photo and captioned it with foul language. Shortly before the celebration of Victory Day, on May 8, 2023, Malev posted another photo on the same social network, which, according to the investigation, shows clear disrespect for society, days of military glory and memorable dates of Russia associated with the defense of the Motherland, and insults the memory of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the defenders of the Motherland and their feelings.