Former Russian Foreign Ministry employee Konovalov was sentenced to 12 years for transferring data to the U.S.
Former employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia, Arseniy Konovalov, collaborated with foreign intelligence for money. This became known to the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation. As a result, the Russian national was detained and convicted of treason.
Konovalov Transferred Secret Information During a Business Trip
As security agencies discovered, while being an employee of the MFA of Russia, Konovalov was on a long-term business trip in the United States, according to media reports. There, the Russian national transferred secret information to representatives of American intelligence.
As a result, the Investigative Department of the FSB of Russia initiated and investigated a criminal case under Article 275 ("Treason") of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
The Arrest of the MFA Employee Was Captured on Video. The Conversation with Konovalov Was Filmed Right in the FSB Van
Konovalov, who transferred secret information to foreign intelligence, was detained in Russia in March 2024. The arrest and the reaction of the diplomatic employee were captured on video. The footage that appeared online shows one of the FSB officers introducing himself to Konovalov and informing him of his arrest on suspicion of treason. He also asks the diplomat if he knows what has happened. To this question, Konovalov answers affirmatively: "Yes." However, he refused to provide any explanations immediately.
During the conversation, handcuffs are put on the MFA employee, and his mobile phone is taken away. Konovalov also answered affirmatively to the question of whether the trip to the destination would be calm. After the arrest, the diplomat was taken to the Lefortovo District Court.
The Ex-Diplomat Who Collaborated with U.S. Intelligence Was Sentenced
The Moscow City Court sentenced Konovalov for collaborating with foreign special services. This became known on Friday, December 26. He was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The ex-diplomat will serve his sentence in a high-security colony. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 rubles (over one thousand euros). Additionally, the court ruled to restrict Konovalov's freedom for 1 year. It is specified that the sentence has not yet entered into legal force.
According to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, treason is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 12 to 20 years with a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (over 5,000 euros) or in the amount of the convicted person's salary or other income for a period of up to 3 years, or without such and with restriction of freedom for up to 2 years or life imprisonment.
