Back in vogue are Russian spies. Especially when one of the suspected Russian spies that were arrested by the FBI is Anna Chapman. Federal prosecutors accused 11 individuals of being part of a Russian spy ring that was living in the U.S. under deep cover for 10 years. The moles assumed roles ranging from mild-mannered suburban couples, stylish young professionals and Anna Chapman, described by The New York Post as “a 28-year-old divorcee with a masters in economics, an online real-estate business, a fancy financial district apartment and a Victoria’s Secret body.”
FBI springs trap on Russian spies
The suspected Russian spies were arrested after an FBI investigation that began at least seven years ago. It was reported by The New York Times that authorities said the Russian spy ring was part of the “Illegals Program,” a long-term operation hatched by the SVR, the successor to the Soviet KGB, to plant Russian spies in the U.S. to gather information and recruit more agents. The supposed secret agents were charged with conspiracy — not to commit espionage, but to fail to register as agents of a foreign government. It was uncertain what secrets Russian beauty Anna Chapman and her band of spies actually managed to steal.
Russian spies decide to go Hollywood
Prosecutors explained the Russian spies in the Illegals Program were angling for intelligence on the Obama administration’s foreign policy, particularly toward Russia. According to the Associated Press, the FBI intercepted a message from KGB successor SVR’s headquarters to two of the 10 suspects describing their mission as “to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in US.” Papers submitted in federal court that some of the Russian spy members lived as husband and wife, used invisible ink, coded radio transmissions and encrypted data, and employed Hollywood methods like swapping bags in passing encounters at a train station. It was reported by the Guardian that “Russia’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as groundless and unseemly.”
Is there a Medvedev/Obama BFF sabotage?
The suspected Russian spies were arrested just 3 days after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev left the U.S. after a friendly visit with President Obama in Washington. Sergei Lavrov, who is a Russia’s veteran foreign minister, hinted that the arrests may be part of an internal U.S. plot to sabotage the Medvedev/Obama friendship and U.S.-Russian relations. Moscow could have to respond in some way. But none of the alleged Russian spies were diplomats or consular officials – making a classic tit-for-tat expulsion unlikely. Some think Russia will announce the discovery of a spy ring as well.
Anna Chapman blew her cover
As the FBI noose tightened around the suspected Russian spies, as outlined by the New York Daily News, Anna Chapman realized her cover had been blown. Chapman ran into a Brooklyn Verizon store and purchased a cell phone that she got under the name, “Irine Kustov of 99 Fake Street.” The investigators realized their cover was blown also. The suspected Russian spies were immediately arrested. Chapman and other spies were in court Monday. They could face up to five years in prison if convicted of acting as unregistered foreign agents.
Discover more about this topic here:
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/06/29/world/europe/29spy.html
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j_Fmz__pKb-YmXtA5fSYdbz6ptRAD9GL0GGO0
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/29/russian-spy-ring-claims-bilateral-ties
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/06/29/2010-06-29_untitled__2spies29m.html
