Former Russian spy sentenced 25 years for helping U.S.

Former Russian spy sentenced 25 years for helping U.S.

2011-06-28 07:04:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- A former Russian spy who helped U.S. authorities was sentenced on Monday to 25 years in prison by a Russian military court, local media reported.

Alexander Poteyev, who was secretly working for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), was found guilty of high treason for helping U.S. authorities dismantle a Russian spy ring consisting of 10 people in June 2010, which included Anna Chapman who gained international media attention, RIA Novosti reported.

The verdict at the Moscow Military District Court said Poteyev was proven guilty, as he uncovered Russian sleeper agents from foreign intelligence services to the United States and then deserted the country.

As a result, Poteyev's case was heard in absentia since he fled to the U.S. along with his family a few days before the arrest of the sleeper agents was announced. Among those who testified against Poteyev was Chapman and other members of the busted spy ring.

The ten sleeper agents were charged with carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation. They pleaded guilty to charges of failing to register as a representative of a foreign government, and U.S. officials negotiated a swap with Russia for four imprisoned individuals accused of having trade secrets.

According to U.S. authorities, the group of spies were unable to obtain any vital information of U.S. interest.

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