A U.S. diplomat accused by Russia of being an undercover CIA agent has been
ordered to leave the country immediately, Russian officials said Tuesday.
Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, said Ryan Fogle, the third secretary
in the political section at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, was detained Monday
night after he allegedly tried to recruit a member of the Russian intelligence
services, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Fogle has been declared persona non grata and
demanded his immediate departure from Russia.
"The U.S. intelligence community recently has made repeated attempts to recruit
employees of Russia's law-enforcement bodies and special agencies, which have
been recorded and monitored by [Russia's] counterespionage forces," the FSB said
in a statement.
The Wall Street Journal said the CIA and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow have
declined comment.
The recruitment note allegedly found in Fogle's possession was released by the
FSB and published on the website of the Russian TV channel RT. The New York
Times said the letter offered $100,000 as a "down payment" for the Russian agent
to "discuss your experience, expertise and cooperation."
FSB media officials said the letter was among a number of items confiscated from
the agent, including two wigs, three pairs of glasses and several stacks of
500-euro notes.
The letter said: "This is a down payment from someone who is very impressed with
your professionalism and who would greatly appreciate your cooperation in the
future. Your security means a lot to us. This is why we chose this way of
contacting you."
It was signed, "your friends."
Russian officials said Fogle had specialized technical equipment, instructions
for the Russian citizen being recruited, a large quantity of cash and the means
to change the person's appearance.
Fogle was taken to the FSB receiving office where he has been questioned and
turned over to U.S. Embassy representatives, RIA Novosti said.
Most Popular Stories
- iPhone 6 'Appears' on Vodafone U.K. Store as '4G iPhone 6'
- Fox, Twitter join in promotional partnership
- Summer Movie Forecast: Biggest Box Office Season Yet for 3D Movies
- Boman Modine Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Film About Cystic Fibrosis
- Fox, Twitter Team Up to Promote TV Shows, Sell Ads
- Hispanics Wanted in STEM Careers
- One Hot Summer as Theater Season Opens
- Cinedigm and Universal Studios Home Entertainment Enter Into Multiyear Home Entertainment Distribution Relationship
- Oak Cliff Film Festival announces lineup
- Microsoft Windows Update Will Be Free
News-To-Go
Advertisement
Advertisement
News Column
Russia to Give U.S. Diplomat the Boot
May 14, 2013
Advertisement
For more stories covering politics, please see HispanicBusiness' Politics Channel
Source: Copyright UPI 2013
Story Tools



