A CIA agent has reportedly been detained after allegedly trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said they found the man with various disguises, including wigs and sunglasses, as well as a large sum of money.
The alleged agent, who was identified as Ryan C Fogle, was also in possession of "special technical equipment" and had written instructions for recruiting a Russian citizen, it was claimed.
A one-page letter reportedly offered the would-be recruit a payment of $100,000 (£65,300) for an interview, as well as up to $1m (£653,000) a year in return for information requested by the US.
The letter asked the recruit to write to a Google email address and wait one week for a reply, Russia Today said.
The FSB claimed the alleged agent had been working undercover as a third secretary at the political department of the US embassy in Moscow.
Russian state television showed pictures of a man said to be Mr Fogle, wearing a baseball cap and what appeared to be a blond wig, lying face down on the ground.
Another photo seems to show the same man sat inside an FSB office without his wig and hat.
In the background are various items, including a compass, knife, notepad and recording device, as well as bundles of 500 euro notes.
The alleged agent is said to have been handed over to American officials after being detained overnight.
Michael McFaul, the US ambassador to Russia, who was taking part in a question and answer session on Twitter when details of the alleged detention were announced, refused to speak about the claims.
He has been summoned to the Russian foreign ministry, Reuters said.
The State Department in Washington also declined to comment.
However, official Library of Congress records show that a Ryan C Fogle, of Virginia, was nominated to be a consular officer in the diplomatic service in February 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment