Russia: We Busted CIA Agent Trying to Recruit Spy

Russia's FSB releases photos allegedly of detained diplomat it says is covert agent
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 14, 2013 7:25 AM CDT
Updated May 14, 2013 10:38 AM CDT
Russia: We Busted CIA Agent Trying to Recruit Spy
An ID card for Ryan Vogle, the US embassy employee that the FSB says is a CIA agent is seen in this photo distributed by Russian authorities.   (AP Photo/FSB Public Relations Center)

Russian authorities say they uncovered and detained an American CIA agent last night while he was trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer. They've since released the alleged spy, but have declared him "persona non grata" and demanded he be expelled from Russia immediately, Russia Today reports. The man has been identified as Ryan Fogle, a diplomat at the US embassy in Moscow. The FSB says Fogle was carrying a large amount of cash when he was nabbed, along with "special technical equipment," including a microphone, and wigs and sunglasses to use as disguises.

Fogle was also allegedly carrying detailed instructions for the prospective spy. The money, the note says, was "a down-payment from someone who is very impressed with your professionalism." It offers $100,000 to discuss the job and another $1 million a year for "long-term cooperation." It instructs him to set up a Gmail account for future communication, and to access it only at Internet cafes, or on a separate dedicated mobile device paid for in cash. US Ambassador Michael McFaul has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry, the BBC adds. (More Russia stories.)

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