A former Moscow policeman has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Interfax news agency reported Thursday, citing a statement from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the Soviet KGB.
A Moscow regional court on Thursday convicted former Ministry of Internal Affairs officer Yevgeny Chistov with treason in the form of espionage after the man “pled completely guilty, confirmed the fact that he was recruited by the CIA, and delivered to them information on ministry activities,” Interfax reported.
According to Interfax, Chistov's case file shows that in 2011, the officer, “acting out of selfish motives, took the initiative to make contact with the CIA,” and began transferring state secrets out of the country.
Chistov's case is the latest in an alarming string of spy scandals to shake Russia since the start of the Ukraine crisis in early 2014.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
