US nabs 10 'Russian spies'

[Cao Pi]

Jun 29, 2010
US nabs 10 'Russian spies'

<!-- end left side bar -->

The United States has arrested 10 alleged spies accused of carrying out 'deep-cover assignments' for years for the Russian intelligence services. --PHOTO: AP

WASHINGTON - THE United States has arrested 10 alleged spies accused of carrying out 'deep-cover assignments' for years for the Russian intelligence services, officials said on Monday. An 11th suspect remains at large, the justice department said as it revealed the shocking developments only days after US President Barack Obama praised his visiting Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev as a 'solid and reliable partner.'

The arrests were made in several north-eastern states following a multi-year investigation by the Justice Department, the FBI and New York state authorities. 'Eight individuals were arrested Sunday for allegedly carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation,' a Justice Department statement said.

'Two additional defendants were also arrested Sunday for allegedly participating in the same Russian intelligence programme within the United States.' A total of 11 defendants are 'charged in two separate criminal complaints with conspiring to act as unlawful agents of the Russian Federation within the United States,' it said.

Nine also face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The arrests were made in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and in northern Virginia, just outside the US capital Washington, following what the Justice Department described as a 'multi-year' investigation in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. -- AFP

 

[zuoom]

overt or coverts?

 

[Watchman]

Tarpley: Description of ‘Russian spies’ more like journalism than espionage

You Tube
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3jNuGBCAAg8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_GB&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3jNuGBCAAg8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_GB&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Espionage assignments that spanned years – Ten people have been charged in the U.S. with spying on key military and political personnel for the Russian Intelligence Service. Investigative journalist Webster Tarpley believes the seriousness of the situation is being overblown by the U.S.