US student 'spy' flies home

John Tobin was released from jail on Friday

John Tobin, the US student jailed on drugs charges but accused of spying, has left Russia.

Mr Tobin, 24, was released from jail last week after serving six months of his one year sentence.

It will be interesting to hear the experiences of others who saw this from the other side

John Tobin

"I'm real happy to be going home," he told the AP news agency at Moscow airport, "I look forward to seeing all my friends and family".

Mr Tobin was jailed for possessing a small amount of marijuana, but had also faced accusations from Russian security sources that he was a trainee US spy.

He said he had been framed on the drugs charges because he refused to spy for Russia.

Spying allegations

"Just to rest and relax and catch up on all the news back home and to have a good time," he replied when asked what the most important thing he was going to do on his return.

"It will be interesting to share some of my experiences and hear the experiences of others who saw this from the other side," he said, adding the thing he most wanted was a hamburger.

Mr Tobin was released from prison in the southern Russian town of Rossosh on Friday after serving half of his sentence for possession of marijuana.

His detention caused strains in US-Russian relations which are expected to ease following his return.

He was arrested on drugs charges in January while studying at university in Voronezh but a Federal Security Service official said he was believed to be training to be a US spy.

Mr Tobin's father said his son claimed he had been jailed for rejecting efforts by the Russian intelligence service to recruit him as a spy.