Russia gives former US Consulate employee nearly 5-year jail term

moscow — 

A Russian erstwhile worker of the U.S. Consulate successful Russia's Far Eastern metropolis of Vladivostok has been sentenced to 4 years and 10 months successful situation for "secret collaboration with a overseas state," Russian agencies said Friday.

Robert Shonov worked for much than 25 years for the U.S. Consulate until 2021, erstwhile Moscow imposed restrictions connected section unit moving for overseas missions.

Afterward, helium worked arsenic a backstage contractor compiling quality accounts from publically accessible Russian media, according to the U.S. State Department.

He was arrested this twelvemonth connected suspicion of passing concealed accusation astir Russia's warfare successful Ukraine to the United States successful speech for money.

According to the judgement published connected the website of Valdivostok's Primorye court, $4,343 and an physics instrumentality linked to the committee of the discourtesy were seized.

In September 2023, Russia besides expelled 2 U.S. diplomats it accused of acting arsenic liaison agents for Shonov.

According to Washington, Shonov had lone been hired by the U.S. Consulate to transportation retired regular monitoring of freely accessible Russian media.

In caller years, respective U.S. citizens person been arrested and sentenced to agelong jailhouse presumption successful Russia. Others are being held pending trial.

Washington, which supports Ukraine militarily and financially against Russia's invasion, accuses Moscow of wanting to speech them for Russians held successful the United States.

The United States and Russia exchanged prisoners including The Wall Street Journal newsman Evan Gershkovich successful a landmark swap successful August, but respective U.S. nationals and dual nationals stay successful detention successful Russia.