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 people of being part of a Russian spy ring 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.”
TBI trap catches Russian spies
The alleged Russian spies were arrested after an FBI investigation that began at least seven years ago. The New York Times reports 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 collect details and recruit more agents. The intended 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 really managed to steal.
Russian spies determine to go Hollywood
Prosecutors said the Russian spies in the Illegals Program were angling for intelligence on the Obama administration’s foreign policy, particularly toward Russia. I was reported by 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 allege some of the Russian spy ring’s 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 three days after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev left the U.S. after a friendly visit with President Obama in Washington. Sergei Lavrov hinted that the arrests may be part of an internal U.S. plot to sabotage the Medvedev/Obama friendship and U.S.-Russian relations. Russian analysts said 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 expect Russia will announce that they have found a spy ring also.
Anna Chapman seems to blow her cover
As the FBI noose tightened around the suspected Russian spies, The New York Daily News reports that Anna Chapman realized her cover had been blown. Chapman went to a Brooklyn Verizon store and purchased a cell phone under the name, “Irine Kustov of 99 Fake Street.” It then became clear to investigators that their cover had been blown also. The suspected Russian spies were instantly arrested. Chapman and her comrades were arraigned in court on Monday. They could face up to five years in prison if convicted of acting as unregistered foreign agents.
Citations:
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
