According to Russian state-owned media, former U.S. consulate employee, Robert Shonov has been arrested in Vladivostok on espionage charges.
“In the course of operational-search actions, law enforcement agencies, with the support of the FSB of Russia, detained Robert Shonov in Vladivostok. After interrogation, he was charged with committing a crime under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Cooperation on a confidential basis with a foreign state, international or foreign organization “).”
Shonov has been transported to Moscow and is in pre-trial confinement. He has been detained for at least three months in Lefortovo Prison.
The US embassy in Moscow said it was aware of the reports but had “nothing further to share at this time”.
