Former employee of US consulate charged by Russia with espionage

Robert Shonov was reportedly detained in Vladivostok, site of his former employment, and is being held in Moscow

Russia's FSB security service has charged a former employee of the US consulate in the far eastern city of Vladivostok with illegal covert collaboration with foreigners.

The state news agency Tass reported on Monday that Robert Shonov had been detained in Vladivostok and that after interrogation, he was charged with committing a crime under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Cooperation on a confidential basis with a foreign state, international or foreign organization')", punishable by up to eight years' jail.