An alleged CIA agent has
been briefly detained in Moscow for allegedly trying to recruit a
Russian intelligence officer, Russian media report.
He was held overnight before being released to US officials, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said.Photos have emerged of the man, said to be an employee of the US embassy, being held face down on the ground.
The US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul, has been summoned to the Russian foreign ministry.
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This is a sensitive time for US-Russian relations. The two
countries are currently involved in delicate diplomacy over Syria. At
the same time, Moscow and Washington have been taking cautious steps
towards defrosting relations.
But the FSB's claims to have unearthed a CIA agent are unlikely to have any long-term political consequences. Both countries know that espionage did not end with the conclusion of the Cold War. Spying happens, and so do spy scandals.
The FSB has alleged that America recently made "several" attempts to recruit Russian law enforcement and security officials and that the Russians have monitored such attempts. That sends a message to the United States: despite recent diplomacy and talk of co-operation, Moscow is not prepared to trust Washington completely.
Analysis
But the FSB's claims to have unearthed a CIA agent are unlikely to have any long-term political consequences. Both countries know that espionage did not end with the conclusion of the Cold War. Spying happens, and so do spy scandals.
The FSB has alleged that America recently made "several" attempts to recruit Russian law enforcement and security officials and that the Russians have monitored such attempts. That sends a message to the United States: despite recent diplomacy and talk of co-operation, Moscow is not prepared to trust Washington completely.
The man was reportedly arrested
with a large sum of money, technical devices and written instructions
for the agent he had tried to recruit.
Named as Ryan Fogle, he is said to be third political secretary at the US embassy. There was no comment from the embassy.FSB photos purporting to show Mr Fogle during and after his detention appeared on Russian online media, such as these published by broadcaster RT.
Russia and the US recently said they wished to step up security co-operation after the Boston Marathon bombing.
"FSB counter-intelligence agents detained a CIA staff member who had been working under the cover of third political secretary of the US embassy in Moscow," the FSB said.
"At the moment of detention, special technical equipment was discovered, written instructions for the Russian citizen being recruited, as well as a large sum of money and means for altering appearance."
Ivan saw you coming a mile away. Lucky let him go the Gulags would not have been good for sexy American lol.
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