Russia claims citizen working with New Zealand Government to pass sensitive information
Russia has detained a man accused of spying for New Zealand’s intelligence agency.
A criminal investigation has been launched into a Russian citizen after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) yesterday arrested a man they claim is working with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.
The TASS news agency said a 55-year-old resident of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East had been detained for allegedly passing information that could harm Russia’s security to New Zealand’s intelligence agency.
According to the FSB, the man initiated contact with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and allegedly used email and messaging apps to provide information to Five Eyes.
Five Eyes is an anglosphere intelligence organisation that brings together the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand into an established security alliance to communicate intelligence.
FSB is looking into High Treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Footage posted by the Russian FSB of the man’s arrest shows him walking down a road carrying a bag when three uniformed officers run up and pull him to the ground, handcuffing him on the spot.
He’s then transported to a police station while officers appear to raid his home and office, uncovering wads of US$100 bills.
An FSB officer said in a video to APT News it was “hard to imagine New Zealand working alone” and that “most likely the British are behind them”.
The maximum penalty under article 275 is life imprisonment.
The Moscow Times said Khabarovsk was located around 27km from the Chinese border, around 645km northeast of the port city of Vladivostok, and 8370km east of Moscow.
While Russia has accused foreign nationals – mostly Americans – of spying within its borders, the incident marked the first time that Moscow had accused New Zealand of spying against the superpower.
The NZSIS and the Russian Embassy have been approached for comment.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, the Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS, Chris Penk, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade deferred comment to the NZSIS.