U.S. and Russia Set to Swap Spies

The family of a Russian scientist convicted in 2004 of spying for the CIA says he and nine other prisoners were being prepared for an exchange brokered by U.S. and Russian authorities. The deal would reportedly see the return of the alleged Russian spies who were recently arrested on American soil.

Los Angeles Times:

The scientist’s mother, Svetlana Sutyagina, said in a telephone interview that after arriving at Moscow’s high-security Lefortovo prison Tuesday, her son was ushered into a room where he met with a general from the Russian security services and three U.S. diplomats.

“He was told that he and nine other prisoners will be exchanged for the 10 Russians recently arrested in the United States,” his mother said, adding that her son told her the list was prepared by U.S. officials. “If he agreed, Igor was told he would have to sign a document, which among other things contained a paragraph where Igor was to confess of spying, which he never did before.”

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