Church officials had assailed the Russians' arrest and detention of the men as disturbing and unwarranted. Russian officials have not publicly accused the two men, but the father of one of them told reporters in the U.S. that they had been charged with teaching English without a license. “U.S., RUSSIA DIVIDED ON VENEZUELA AFTER TALKS IN ROMEThe church refers to the two men as volunteers, not missionaries, as it customarily does, because Russia does not permit proselytizing. Russian officials had told reporters who asked about the two volunteers that they were unaware of the detentions, according to published reports. Also in jail in Russia is former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who faces espionage charges.

Source: Fox News March 21, 2019 15:56 UTC