Moscow Charges American in Spy Case
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MOSCOW — Russian authorities said they have charged a former U.S. Navy officer with espionage after holding him in a Moscow prison for more than a week, saying he had tried to obtain military secrets.
The U.S. Embassy has named the man as Edmond D. Pope, but Russia has refused to identify him or a Russian arrested as an alleged accomplice.
A spokesman with the FSB, Russia’s main intelligence agency, said the American faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The Russian was charged with divulging state secrets and faces 10 years behind bars.
The agency said it had documents proving that the American cultivated contacts with Russian scientists in an effort to buy state secrets. Russian television said he was arrested after paying for missile plans.
Pope is being held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison. A Russian lawyer has been appointed for him.
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