Russian PM expresses spy fears
Published:Tuesday | June 29, 2010 | 5:28 PM
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expressing fears that a series of arrests over an alleged spy ring in the United States will harm US-Russian relations.
He’s hoping that the positive things achieved in recent years in terms of bilateral relations will be preserved.
Ten people have been arrested in the US and one in Cyprus after an FBI inquiry.
They’re accused of conspiracy to act as unlawful agents of a foreign government, a crime which carries up to five years in prison.
Eight also face a charge of conspiracy to launder money.
The 11 were allegedly part of an operation where agents posed as ordinary citizens, some living together as couples for years.
The Russian foreign ministry has described the allegations as baseless.
Meanwhile, US officials say the spy ring was discovered in a multi-year investigation by FBI agents who posed as Russian handlers.
Five of the suspects briefly appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday, where a judge ordered them to remain in prison until a preliminary hearing set for July 27.