PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea's highest court has sentenced an American tourist to 15 years of hard labor in prison.

Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia undergraduate student, had allegedly attempted to steal a propaganda banner from a restricted area of his hotel.

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Warmbier was convicted and sentenced in a one-hour trial on Wednesday morning at the North's Supreme Court. He was charged with subversion.

No further details were immediately available.

Warmbier tearfully apologizing during the press conference. Image: lu rui/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images

North Korea had presented him to the press last month, where he tearfully apologized for trying to steal the banner. He said he wanted the banner "as a trophy" for the mother of a friend.

The student was arrested in early January as he tried to leave the country after visiting as a tourist with a New Year's tour group.

Warmbier bowing at the press conference. Image: Kim Kwang Hyon/AP

Image: Kyodo

Warmbier is a native of Ohio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, previously called the arrest "inexcusable." Kasich has urged President Barack Obama to "make every effort to secure Mr. Warmbier's immediate release and keep (his) family constantly apprised."

Kasich said North Korea should either provide evidence of the alleged anti-state activities or release Warmbier.

Additional reporting by Mashable.





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