A Russian court sentenced Robert Shonov on Nov. 1, a former employee at the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok to four years and ten months in prison for “secret collusion with a foreign government.”
According to the U.S. State Department, Shonov, a Russian citizen who worked for the consulate from over 25 years, until 2021, has become a private contractor, after Moscow prohibited local staff members from working in foreign missions. He now gathers public Russian media reports on behalf of the U.S.
Shonov was arrested in 2023 on charges of providing information about Russia‘s war with Ukraine to the U.S. for a payment. Primorye’s regional court revealed that 400,000 roubles (about $4,100) and a device were confiscated during the investigation.
In September, Russia expulsed two U.S. Diplomats, alleging that they acted as intermediaries for Shonov.
The U.S. State Department defended Shonov’s activities as legal, saying that he “worked in strict compliance with Russia’s laws and regulations as a contractor compiling news reports from publicly accessible Russian media.” Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the allegations against Mr. Shonov are “wholly without merit.”
This incident is the latest in a long line of arrests of U.S. citizens in Russia. Several are now serving long sentences or waiting for trial. Washington, which is a major supporter of Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces, accuses Moscow that it wants to swap Russians in the U.S. for those held there.
Although the U.S. executed a notable prisoner exchange in August, which included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. However, several American detainees and dual nationals remain in Russian custody.
Robert Shonov, an ex-employee of the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok was arrested in 2023 on charges of passing information to the U.S. about Russia’s war against Ukraine. He was sentenced on Nov. 1 to four years, 10 months and 10 days in prison.
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