Lithuania Arrests Russian Suspected of Spying
Lithuanian prosecutors said Monday they had detained a Russian citizen suspected of spying, in the latest Cold War-style incident as tensions spiral between the West and Russia.
The suspect is a Russian FSB security service agent who sought to "penetrate governing institutions, law-enforcement and intelligence services," the prosecutor's office said.
The man -- born in 1977 and identified only as N.F. -- was detained on Wednesday and was ordered held for three months by a court the following day.
He could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted of espionage.
Lithuania's intelligence agency said the arrest had thwarted an "attempt to access information known only to Lithuanian leaders with the aim of manipulating and influencing decision-making processes at the top level."
It is the fourth criminal case made public by Lithuania -- an EU and NATO member since 2004 -- in less than a year involving spying for Russia or Belarus.
Previous arrests included those of a former employee of a state-owned air traffic control company, a military medic and an airforce officer.
Lithuania's intelligence agency also said it kicked out three Russian spies last year, adding that Moscow was increasingly interested in the Baltic state's military infrastructure.
Russian activity in Ukraine and military maneuvers in the region have triggered concern that Moscow could attempt to destabilize the Baltic countries that were in its orbit during Soviet times.
Source: Agence France Presse
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