FSB detains Mari El resident born in 2008 on treason charge over data passed to Ukraine
In short
Russia's FSB said it detained and arrested a resident of Mari El, born in 2008, on suspicion of treason. The agency says he passed Ukrainian military intelligence information on defence-industry and law enforcement sites in the region for payment.
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The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on 20 October that it had detained and arrested a resident of the Republic of Mari El on suspicion of treason, Interfax, RIA Novosti and Kommersant reported. TASS carried a short report saying he had passed Kyiv data on the defence-industrial complex. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The FSB Public Relations Center said it had uncovered and stopped the unlawful activity of a Russian citizen born in 2008 who was involved in treason. RIA Novosti described him as an 18-year-old. According to the agency, he made contact over the internet with a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry. For payment, he collected and passed on information about where defence-industry and law enforcement facilities in the region are located. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The FSB investigative department for Mari El opened a criminal case against him under Article 275 of the Russian criminal code, which covers treason. Interfax reported that he was arrested, and RIA Novosti reported that a court sent him into custody. The documents do not name the suspect or give the date of his detention. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no basis beyond a single case: a treason charge under Article 275 of the Russian criminal code, announced by the FSB. All outlets rely on the FSB's own statement.
Key facts
- The FSB Public Relations Center said a Russian citizen born in 2008 was detained in the Republic of Mari El on suspicion of involvement in treason. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- According to the FSB, he contacted a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defence Ministry over the internet. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The FSB says that, for payment, he collected and passed on information about the locations of defence-industry and law enforcement facilities in the region. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The FSB investigative department for Mari El opened a criminal case under Article 275 (treason) of the Russian criminal code. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Interfax reported that he was arrested; RIA Novosti reported that a court remanded him in custody. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RIA Novosti described the suspect as an 18-year-old. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The suspect's name and the date of detention None of the documents gives the suspect's name or says when he was detained.
- The allegations against him They come only from the FSB's statement, as relayed by the outlets; no document gives the suspect's account or independent confirmation.
- The court decision on custody Interfax and Kommersant say he was arrested; RIA Novosti says a court sent him into custody. No document names the court or the term.