Ex-Russian Diplomat Sentenced to 12 Years for Selling State Secrets to US

A former employee of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arseny Konovalov, has been convicted of high treason after cooperating with foreign intelligence services in exchange for money, according to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by Ji-Elle, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Russian Foreign Ministry

The investigation established that while serving as a diplomat, Konovalov was sent on a long-term overseas assignment to the United States, where he voluntarily transferred classified information obtained through his official duties to representatives of American intelligence.

"During his long-term foreign assignment in the United States, he initiative-ly transferred classified information known to him through his service to US intelligence in exchange for monetary compensation,” the FSB stated.

Detention and Criminal Investigation

A criminal case was opened by the Investigative Directorate of the FSB under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers state treason. Konovalov was detained upon his return to Russia in March 2024.

Footage of the arrest was later released, showing FSB officers informing Konovalov of his detention inside a service minivan. When asked whether he understood the reason for his arrest, the former diplomat answered affirmatively but declined to provide immediate explanations.

"We'll have to look into it,” Konovalov said during the detention.

During the arrest, officers confiscated his mobile phone and placed him in handcuffs before transferring him to the Lefortovo District Court in Moscow.

Court Verdict and Sentence

On December 26, the Moscow City Court found Konovalov guilty of treason and sentenced him to 12 years in a high-security penal colony. The court also imposed a fine of 100,000 rubles and ordered a one-year restriction of freedom following his release.

The verdict has not yet entered into legal force.

Under Russian law, state treason is punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 rubles, and additional restrictions on freedom. In exceptional cases, life imprisonment may also be applied.

FSB Emphasizes Severity of the Case

The FSB stressed that Konovalov's actions posed a direct threat to national security, as the information he transferred was classified and related to his official diplomatic duties.

The case underscores heightened scrutiny over contacts between Russian officials and foreign intelligence services amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.