Russia May Reduce U.S. Scholar's Term

MOSCOW, July 26 -- John E. Tobin, 24, of Ridgefield, Conn., the Fulbright
scholar sentenced in April to serve 37 months on marijuana charges, may
find his term reduced for good behavior and could soon be released from a
prison camp south of here, a regional spokesman for the Justice Ministry
said today.

After nearly six months in jails, Mr. Tobin is learning woodworking and
attends Orthodox Christian services, the spokesman said. He added that
prison officials would probably upgrade Mr. Tobin's living conditions and
that a local court could order his early release if the prison requested it.

Mr. Tobin has insisted that he is not guilty and that the police planted
drugs in his clothes and apartment.