Russian security services say they detained an alleged United States CIA agent, identified as Ryan Fogle, after they found him trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer, reports BBC News.
The man was held overnight in Moscow before being released to U.S. officials, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said. He is said to have been working as a secretary at the U.S. embassy and was arrested with a large amount of money, technical devices, a number of disguises and written instructions for the agent he tried to recruit.
The FSB said:
FSB counter-intelligence agents detained a CIA staff member who had been working under the cover of third political secretary of the U.S. embassy in Moscow. At the moment of detention, special technical equipment was discovered, written instructions for the Russian citizen being recruited, as well as a large sum of money and means for altering appearance.
Images were released of Fogle’s arrest, detainment, and the items confiscated: