An Indian embassy staff member posted in Moscow was arrested on January 28 from his native place in Uttar Pradesh for divulging sensitive Indian military information. The man was allegedly lured into a web of espionage by the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), investigators revealed this week.&nbsp;

<h2>Honey trap</h2>

Satyendra Siwal, a 27-year-old security assistant stationed at the Indian Embassy in Moscow since 2021, as per media reports, has confessed to divulging information about Indian military installations and foreign affairs matters.

"During his tenure in Moscow, he came into contact with a woman who claimed to be from Canada and developed a relationship with her, despite being married and having children," revealed investigators.

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The woman, allegedly working for Pakistan's ISI, enticed Siwal into revealing classified data in exchange for money (₹25 Lakh or $2.5 million) through her contacts.

"Siwal was offered money in exchange for information through her contacts," said an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officer, as reported by The Times Of India.

ATS officers discovered multiple payments from unidentified sources in Siwal's Indian bank account in Moscow, which he couldn't explain.

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The ATS has now requested Moscow to authenticate details of Siwal's bank accounts there.&nbsp;

<h2>Charges Siwal faces</h2>

Siwal now faces charges under section 121A (conspiracy against the state) and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

UP ATS ADG Mohit Agarwal confirmed that all of Siwal's electronic devices have been confiscated and sent for a forensic audit to retrieve any erased or tampered data. Quoting ATS sources, the publication reported that ISI operatives have been trying to lure Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) employees with financial incentives for sensitive information.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian embassy staff member posted in Moscow was arrested on January 28 from his native place in Uttar Pradesh for divulging sensitive Indian military information.

An Indian embassy staff member posted in Moscow was arrested on January 28 from his native place in Uttar Pradesh for divulging sensitive Indian military information. The man was allegedly lured into a web of espionage by the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), investigators revealed this week. Honey trap Satyendra Siwal, a 27-year-old security assistant stationed at the Indian Embassy in Moscow since 2021, as per media reports, has confessed to divulging information about Indian military installations and foreign affairs matters. "During his tenure in Moscow, he came into contact with a woman who claimed to be from Canada and developed a relationship with her, despite being married and having children," revealed investigators. Also read | Video: Pet groomers arrested after video of them beating pet dog goes viral The woman, allegedly working for Pakistan's ISI, enticed Siwal into revealing classified data in exchange for money (₹25 Lakh or $2.5 million) through her contacts. "Siwal was offered money in exchange for information through her contacts," said an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officer, as reported by The Times Of India. ATS officers discovered multiple payments from unidentified sources in Siwal's Indian bank account in Moscow, which he couldn't explain. Also read | Delhi Metro records its highest-ever daily ridership, see how it compares to global networks The ATS has now requested Moscow to authenticate details of Siwal's bank accounts there. Charges Siwal faces Siwal now faces charges under section 121A (conspiracy against the state) and the Official Secrets Act, 1923. UP ATS ADG Mohit Agarwal confirmed that all of Siwal's electronic devices have been confiscated and sent for a forensic audit to retrieve any erased or tampered data. Quoting ATS sources, the publication reported that ISI operatives have been trying to lure Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) employees with financial incentives for sensitive information. (With inputs from agencies)

Espionage case: Indian embassy staff in Moscow fell prey to Pakistan ISI honey trap

Three suspected Russian spies have been arrested and charged in the United Kingdom after a major national security investigation, British media reported on Tuesday (August 15). According to BBC, all three defendants have been in detention since February.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the suspected spies?</h2>

All three alleged spies are said to have been working for the Russian security services and were identified as Bulgarian nationals. They were reportedly arrested earlier this year under the Official Secrets Act by counter-terrorism detectives from the Metropolitan Police, which deals with espionage cases in the UK.&nbsp;

The BBC report identified the three suspects as Orlin Roussev (45), Bizer Dzhambazov (41), and Katrin Ivanova (31). The trio has also been charged with possessing identity documents with “improper intention”, and are alleged to have had these knowing they were fake.&nbsp;

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They had passports, identity cards and other documents for the UK, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and the Czech Republic, said the BBC report.&nbsp;

<h2>Alleged ‘Russian spies’ have lived in the UK ‘for years’</h2>

All three are said to have lived in the UK for several years and held a number of different jobs. They all lived in suburban locations, as per British media reports. Roussev was said to have some business dealings in Russia and moved to the UK in 2009.&nbsp;

The 45-year-old previously worked a technical role in financial services and later owned a business involved in signals intelligence that also included interception of communications or electronic signals, reported BBC. Roussev’s online LinkedIn profile also indicates that he once acted as an adviser to the Bulgarian ministry of energy.

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-detains-two-russians-for-spreading-wagner-propaganda-625488">&nbsp;Poland detains two Russians for spreading Wagner ‘propaganda’</a>

Citing former neighbours of Dzhambazov and Ivanova in Harrow, the report said that they are a couple. The duo reportedly moved to the UK, around 10 years ago and ran a community organisation that provided services for Bulgarian people, including familiarising them with the “culture and norms of British society”.&nbsp;

Bulgarian state documents online also show that they have previously worked for electoral commissions in London. Around the supposed couple’s home in Harrow, neighbours have reported that the detectives spent a long time gathering evidence with a visible police presence for more than a week, according to the BBC.

<h2>What now?</h2>

The trio’s case is set to go on trial at the Old Bailey in London in January 2024. As of now, none of them has entered a plea to the allegations against them, according to British media reports.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-of-bloody-harvest-in-war-escalation-if-uk-sends-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-560131">Russia warns of 'bloody harvest' in war escalation if UK sends fighter jets to Ukraine</a>

While the counter-terrorism police have publicly noted the rise in time spent on suspected state threats and espionage, especially relating to Russia, the officials are yet to comment on this particular case.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Three suspected Russian spies have been arrested and charged in the United Kingdom after a major national security investigation, British media reported on Tuesday (August 15).

Three suspected Russian spies have been arrested and charged in the United Kingdom after a major national security investigation, British media reported on Tuesday (August 15). According to BBC, all three defendants have been in detention since February. What do we know about the suspected spies? All three alleged spies are said to have been working for the Russian security services and were identified as Bulgarian nationals. They were reportedly arrested earlier this year under the Official Secrets Act by counter-terrorism detectives from the Metropolitan Police, which deals with espionage cases in the UK. The BBC report identified the three suspects as Orlin Roussev (45), Bizer Dzhambazov (41), and Katrin Ivanova (31). The trio has also been charged with possessing identity documents with “improper intention”, and are alleged to have had these knowing they were fake. ALSO READ | British special forces operated in Russia under Putin's watch, report reveals They had passports, identity cards and other documents for the UK, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and the Czech Republic, said the BBC report. Alleged ‘Russian spies’ have lived in the UK ‘for years’ All three are said to have lived in the UK for several years and held a number of different jobs. They all lived in suburban locations, as per British media reports. Roussev was said to have some business dealings in Russia and moved to the UK in 2009. The 45-year-old previously worked a technical role in financial services and later owned a business involved in signals intelligence that also included interception of communications or electronic signals, reported BBC. Roussev’s online LinkedIn profile also indicates that he once acted as an adviser to the Bulgarian ministry of energy. ALSO READ | Poland detains two Russians for spreading Wagner ‘propaganda’ Citing former neighbours of Dzhambazov and Ivanova in Harrow, the report said that they are a couple. The duo reportedly moved to the UK, around 10 years ago and ran a community organisation that provided services for Bulgarian people, including familiarising them with the “culture and norms of British society”. Bulgarian state documents online also show that they have previously worked for electoral commissions in London. Around the supposed couple’s home in Harrow, neighbours have reported that the detectives spent a long time gathering evidence with a visible police presence for more than a week, according to the BBC. What now? The trio’s case is set to go on trial at the Old Bailey in London in January 2024. As of now, none of them has entered a plea to the allegations against them, according to British media reports. ALSO READ | Russia warns of 'bloody harvest' in war escalation if UK sends fighter jets to Ukraine While the counter-terrorism police have publicly noted the rise in time spent on suspected state threats and espionage, especially relating to Russia, the officials are yet to comment on this particular case. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Three ‘Russian spies’ arrested after major UK national security investigation: Reports

China on Friday (August 11) claimed to have recently uncovered a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "case of espionage" which involved a Chinese national named Zeng who provided "core secret information" for money. 
 
Beijing has been making efforts to combat spying, which includes the implementation of a revised anti-espionage law last month which gives more power to the authorities than ever to punish what looks&nbsp;like threats to national security. 
 
"After meticulous investigation, the state security authority obtained evidence of Zeng's espionage activities and, in accordance with the law, took coercive measures against him to eliminate the harm in a timely manner," said Beijing's Ministry of State Security, in a statement published online. 
 
However, no details on the punishment of Zeng were provided. The statement read that 52-year-old Zeng was sent to Italy for studies, where he made friends with a CIA agent who was stationed at the US embassy in Rome.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slips-into-deflation-as-demand-weakens-across-country-623664">China slips into deflation as demand weakens across country</a>

Zeng was convinced by the individual to provide "sensitive information on the (Chinese) military" in exchange for "a huge amount of compensation" as well as assistance for Zeng and his family to shift to the United States. 
 
As per reports, Zeng signed a contract with the US side and was provided training before he returned to China to carry out the espionage activity. In China, the case quickly gathered widespread attention as it reached the top of the trending topics list on the social media site Weibo on Friday morning.

<h2>US businesses spooked by revision of China's anti-espionage law</h2>

The revision of the anti-espionage law by Beijing has spooked many US businesses&nbsp;that have operations in China, as relations between the two nations continue the&nbsp;downward spiral. 
 
Under the changes, "relying on espionage organisations and their agents" as well as the unauthorised obtaining of "documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests" can be considered a spying offence.

WATCH |&nbsp;A stranded WWII ship in disputed shoal flames tensions with China

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The changes "have raised legitimate concerns about conducting certain routine business activities, which now risk being considered espionage", wrote Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, in a recent blog. 
 
"Confidence in China's market will suffer further if the law is applied frequently and without a clear, narrow and direct link to activities universally recognised as espionage," Allen added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China on Friday (August 11) claimed to have recently uncovered a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "case of espionage" which involved a Chinese national named Zeng who provided "core secret information" for money.

China on Friday (August 11) claimed to have recently uncovered a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "case of espionage" which involved a Chinese national named Zeng who provided "core secret information" for money. Beijing has been making efforts to combat spying, which includes the implementation of a revised anti-espionage law last month which gives more power to the authorities than ever to punish what looks like threats to national security. "After meticulous investigation, the state security authority obtained evidence of Zeng's espionage activities and, in accordance with the law, took coercive measures against him to eliminate the harm in a timely manner," said Beijing's Ministry of State Security, in a statement published online. However, no details on the punishment of Zeng were provided. The statement read that 52-year-old Zeng was sent to Italy for studies, where he made friends with a CIA agent who was stationed at the US embassy in Rome. ALSO READ | China slips into deflation as demand weakens across country Zeng was convinced by the individual to provide "sensitive information on the (Chinese) military" in exchange for "a huge amount of compensation" as well as assistance for Zeng and his family to shift to the United States. As per reports, Zeng signed a contract with the US side and was provided training before he returned to China to carry out the espionage activity. In China, the case quickly gathered widespread attention as it reached the top of the trending topics list on the social media site Weibo on Friday morning. US businesses spooked by revision of China's anti-espionage law The revision of the anti-espionage law by Beijing has spooked many US businesses that have operations in China, as relations between the two nations continue the downward spiral. Under the changes, "relying on espionage organisations and their agents" as well as the unauthorised obtaining of "documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests" can be considered a spying offence. WATCH | A stranded WWII ship in disputed shoal flames tensions with China The changes "have raised legitimate concerns about conducting certain routine business activities, which now risk being considered espionage", wrote Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, in a recent blog. "Confidence in China's market will suffer further if the law is applied frequently and without a clear, narrow and direct link to activities universally recognised as espionage," Allen added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China claims to have exposed CIA espionage plot after arrest of alleged agent

The&nbsp;German&nbsp;employee of a security company went&nbsp;on&nbsp;trial Wednesday for allegedly passing&nbsp;on&nbsp;floor plans of&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;buildings to Russian secret services, a case that has further frayed ties between Berlin and Moscow.

The suspect named only as Jens F., 56, is accused of handing over a CD-Rom with more than 300 files of floor plans of buildings used by the&nbsp;German&nbsp;Bundestag to the military attache of the Russian embassy in 2017.

&nbsp;

The military attache in post at that time is believed to be an employee of Russia's GRU military intelligence service. The suspect meanwhile worked for a security company contracted by the Bundestag.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/briton-arrested-in-germany-for-spying-for-russia-404738">Briton arrested in Germany for 'spying for Russia'</a>

Reading out the charge sheet before a court in Berlin, prosecutor Frank Stuppi accused the&nbsp;man&nbsp;of espionage.

The suspect did not make any statements at the opening of the trial.

The court revealed that a plea bargain had been offered with a jail term of between 20 months to two years, but that was not taken up by the suspect.

The defence had advised Jens F. not to plead guilty, arguing there was no proof that he had transmitted the information to the&nbsp;Russians.

According to defence lawyer Friedrich Humke, the prosecution's case is based&nbsp;on&nbsp;the life of his client -- who was once an army officer in former communist East Germany.

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Prosecutor Stuppi acknowledged that other people could have had access to the floor plans, but argued that the indictment was based&nbsp;on&nbsp;the route that the files had taken.

Key indicators were when the files were saved and how they were stored, he said.

The court is expected to hear the case until the end of September.

Tensions&nbsp;

Without citing its sources, Spiegel magazine reported that the suspect was a former officer of the 9th tank division of the East&nbsp;German&nbsp;army.&nbsp;

Between 1984 and 1990, he also worked for the feared Stasi secret police informally, said Spiegel.

The case comes at a time of particularly rocky ties between Berlin and Moscow over a series of espionage cases, the poisoning and jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as well as repeated cyberattacks against the West.

The West has accused the Russian government of poisoning Navalny with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in August 2020, which the Kremlin denies.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-hits-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-with-new-charge-that-could-add-to-jail-term-404725">Russia hits Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with new charge that could add to jail term</a>

Navalny was treated in Berlin before he returned to Moscow several months later. Upon landing at the airport, Navalny was imprisoned, sparking demands from the West for his release.

In June,&nbsp;German&nbsp;police arrested a Russian scientist working at an unidentified university, accusing him of&nbsp;spying&nbsp;for Moscow.

Germany has also repeatedly accused Russia of cyberattacks&nbsp;on&nbsp;its soil.

The most high-profile incident blamed&nbsp;on&nbsp;Russian hackers to date was a cyberattack in 2015 that completely paralysed the computer network of the Bundestag lower house of&nbsp;parliament, forcing the entire institution offline for days while it was fixed.

In another high profile case before a&nbsp;German&nbsp;court, a Russian&nbsp;man&nbsp;is&nbsp;on&nbsp;trial over the assassination of a former Chechen commander in a Berlin park, allegedly&nbsp;on&nbsp;Russia's orders.

Moscow has denied being behind such actions.

The German employee of a security company went on trial Wednesday for allegedly passing on floor plans of parliament buildings to Russian secret services, a case that has further frayed ties between Berlin and Moscow.

The German employee of a security company went on trial Wednesday for allegedly passing on floor plans of parliament buildings to Russian secret services, a case that has further frayed ties between Berlin and Moscow. The suspect named only as Jens F., 56, is accused of handing over a CD-Rom with more than 300 files of floor plans of buildings used by the German Bundestag to the military attache of the Russian embassy in 2017. The military attache in post at that time is believed to be an employee of Russia's GRU military intelligence service. The suspect meanwhile worked for a security company contracted by the Bundestag. Also read | Briton arrested in Germany for 'spying for Russia' Reading out the charge sheet before a court in Berlin, prosecutor Frank Stuppi accused the man of espionage. The suspect did not make any statements at the opening of the trial. The court revealed that a plea bargain had been offered with a jail term of between 20 months to two years, but that was not taken up by the suspect. The defence had advised Jens F. not to plead guilty, arguing there was no proof that he had transmitted the information to the Russians. According to defence lawyer Friedrich Humke, the prosecution's case is based on the life of his client -- who was once an army officer in former communist East Germany. Also read | Germany's Merkel, US, UK, EU urge Russia to release Putin critic Navalny Prosecutor Stuppi acknowledged that other people could have had access to the floor plans, but argued that the indictment was based on the route that the files had taken. Key indicators were when the files were saved and how they were stored, he said. The court is expected to hear the case until the end of September. Tensions Without citing its sources, Spiegel magazine reported that the suspect was a former officer of the 9th tank division of the East German army. Between 1984 and 1990, he also worked for the feared Stasi secret police informally, said Spiegel. The case comes at a time of particularly rocky ties between Berlin and Moscow over a series of espionage cases, the poisoning and jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as well as repeated cyberattacks against the West. The West has accused the Russian government of poisoning Navalny with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in August 2020, which the Kremlin denies. Also read | Russia hits Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with new charge that could add to jail term Navalny was treated in Berlin before he returned to Moscow several months later. Upon landing at the airport, Navalny was imprisoned, sparking demands from the West for his release. In June, German police arrested a Russian scientist working at an unidentified university, accusing him of spying for Moscow. Germany has also repeatedly accused Russia of cyberattacks on its soil. The most high-profile incident blamed on Russian hackers to date was a cyberattack in 2015 that completely paralysed the computer network of the Bundestag lower house of parliament, forcing the entire institution offline for days while it was fixed. In another high profile case before a German court, a Russian man is on trial over the assassination of a former Chechen commander in a Berlin park, allegedly on Russia's orders. Moscow has denied being behind such actions.

German man on trial for allegedly spying on Bundestag for Russians

A Russian court on Monday sentenced ex-US marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison in an espionage case.

The trial was held behind closed doors since Whelan was accused of gathering state secrets, however, he called it a "sham trial" and asked for US President Donald Trump's intervention.

Whelan, 50, was arrested in December 2018 when he was on a visit to Russia for a wedding. He took a USB drive from an acquaintance&nbsp;which he said he thought contained holiday photographs. The US ambassador to Russia had said earlier that was an unfair trial with US&nbsp;secretary of state Mike Pompeo demanding his release last month.

Whelan's health had deteriorated during the trial&nbsp;as US secretary of state demanded his release, saying: "It is unacceptable that Paul Whelan has been denied necessary medical treatment until his condition became dire."

However, Russian foreign ministry said he was receiving "all necessary medical assistance."

Russia's prosecutor during the trial, however, stressed that the ex-marine had information on Russia's state secret. Whelan was earlier "dishonorably discharged" as a marine.

The verdict comes even as relations between Russia and the US continue to be on the edge with the Trump administration having put sanctions on the country.

A Russian court on Monday sentenced ex-US marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison in an espionage case. The trial was held behind closed doors since Whelan was accused of gathering state secrets, however, he called it a "sham trial" and asked for US President Donald Trump's intervention.

A Russian court on Monday sentenced ex-US marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison in an espionage case. The trial was held behind closed doors since Whelan was accused of gathering state secrets, however, he called it a "sham trial" and asked for US President Donald Trump's intervention. Whelan, 50, was arrested in December 2018 when he was on a visit to Russia for a wedding. He took a USB drive from an acquaintance which he said he thought contained holiday photographs. The US ambassador to Russia had said earlier that was an unfair trial with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo demanding his release last month. Whelan's health had deteriorated during the trial as US secretary of state demanded his release, saying: "It is unacceptable that Paul Whelan has been denied necessary medical treatment until his condition became dire." However, Russian foreign ministry said he was receiving "all necessary medical assistance." Russia's prosecutor during the trial, however, stressed that the ex-marine had information on Russia's state secret. Whelan was earlier "dishonorably discharged" as a marine. The verdict comes even as relations between Russia and the US continue to be on the edge with the Trump administration having put sanctions on the country.

Russian court sentences US ex-marine to 16 years in prison in spy case

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