Russian scientist Igor Sutyagin repeatedly charged with spying for USA

The Russian Federal Security Service /FSB/ has repeatedly charged Russian Scientist Igor Sutyagin with spying for the United States.

Sutyagin's lawyer reported on Tuesday that the FSB Investigation Department had charged the former employee of the Institute of USA and Canada Studies with an offence prosecuted in compliance with the Treason through Espionage article of the Russian Criminal Code.

Igor Sutyagin has already faced trial on the same charges. In late 2001, a regional court sent the case back for re-investigation. The investigation now forwards new charges against Sutyagin taking into account all notes the court made.

Igor Sutyagin is currently in a detention centre.

The Russian scientist is charged with transferring secret data to the British Alternative Futures consulting company, which, as the Russian secret service believes, is linked to the American military intelligence. Sutyagin's lawyers have submitted a complaint to the Supreme Court requesting to close the case. However, on March 20th 2002, the Russian Supreme Court rejected the application to close the case and release Sutyagin.