CIA agent ‘intercepted in Moscow by FSB’

A CIA agent has been briefly detained in Moscow for allegedly trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer, Russian media report.

The man, named as US diplomat Ryan Fogle, was held overnight before being released to US officials, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

Russia has declared him “persona non grata” and ordered his expulsion, the foreign ministry said on its website, according to BBC.

The US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul, had been summoned, it added.

This is a sensitive time for US-Russian relations. The two countries are currently involved in delicate diplomacy over Syria. At the same time, Moscow and Washington have been taking cautious steps towards defrosting relations.

But the FSB’s claims to have unearthed a CIA agent are unlikely to have any long-term political consequences. Both countries know that espionage did not end with the conclusion of the Cold War. Spying happens, and so do spy scandals.

The FSB has said that America recently made “several” attempts to recruit Russian law enforcement officers, and security officials and that the Russians have monitored such attempts. That sends a message to the United States: despite recent diplomacy and talk of co-operation, Moscow is not prepared to trust Washington completely.

Mr Fogle is said to have worked as third political secretary at the US embassy in Moscow, which has issued no comment on the matter so far.

The agent was reportedly arrested with a large sum of money, technical devices and written instructions for the agent he had tried to recruit.

Both countries recently said they wished to step up security co-operation after the Boston Marathon bombing.

FSB photos purporting to show Mr Fogle during and after his detention appeared on Russian online media, such as these published by broadcaster RT.

Wearing a blue checked shirt and a plain baseball cap, he is shown being held on the ground with his hands bound, then being escorted away.

Possessions said to be Mr Fogle’s are laid out on a table. They include a sum of money in 500-euro banknotes and two wigs, one of which he was apparently wearing at the time of his detention.

Also on the table are a compass, map, knife, dark glasses and small mobile phone.

“FSB counter-intelligence agents detained a CIA staff member who had been working under the cover of third political secretary of the US embassy in Moscow,” the FSB said.

“At the moment of detention, special technical equipment was discovered, written instructions for the Russian citizen being recruited, as well as a large sum of money and means for altering appearance.”

Still of the items said to have been in Mr Fogle’s possession (14 May 2013) Russian officials said they had confiscated a large sum of money, wigs and technical equipment

Russian state TV has displayed a piece of paper, which it said was Mr Fogle’s letter to the Russian officer.

Addressing the recipient as “Dear friend”, the letter offers $100,000 (£65,400) “to discuss your experience, expertise and co-operation”.

It goes on to say: “We can offer up to $1m a year for long-term co-operation, with extra bonuses if we receive some helpful information.

M.D