Russia detains U.S. embassy diplomat accused of spying

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian counterintelligence officials briefly detained a U.S. diplomat suspected of being an undercover CIA officer and trying to recruit a Russian agent, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said Tuesday, May 14, RIA Novosti reported.

A U.S. embassy press officer in Moscow said by telephone that she could not comment on the report.

According to an FSB statement, the diplomat, identified as Ryan Christopher Fogle, a third secretary in the political department, was detained the night of May 13 as he attempted to recruit an officer from one of Russia's special services.

The diplomat was found to be in possession of “special technical devices, written instructions for the Russian citizen being recruited, a large sum of cash and means of changing his appearance,” the statement said.

He was taken to the FSB and, after “necessary procedures” were completed, handed over to U.S. embassy officials, the FSB said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has summoned U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul to come in Wednesday to discuss the incident.