The Americans claim that the detainee’s work was completely harmless, according to the TELMENEWS.RU news agency
As DEITA.RU news agency previously reported, Robert Shonov, a former employee of the US consulate in Vladivostok, who is a Russian citizen, was detained in Vladivostok. He is accused of confidential collaboration with a foreign state. According to a number of sources, Shonov, 62, is in the Lefortovo remand center.
The date of the arrest is not communicated, but according to the article attributed to him, the former employee faces up to eight years in prison. Meanwhile, the official US government portal strongly condemns such moves against its alleged informant.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s representative office in Vladivostok provides a translation of the message: “The charges against Mr. Shonov are completely unfounded. He is a Russian citizen who worked at the US Consulate General in Vladivostok for over 25 years. (…) Shonov was hired by a company that had a contract to provide services to the US Embassy in Moscow, in strict compliance with Russian laws and regulations.
Apparently the role of the arrested gentleman was only to compile a list of local news articles. The Americans again appeal to human rights, which the states themselves have long forgotten, interpreting them in a free form. The US Parliament says Shonov’s detention is an example of repression against its own citizens.
“It turns out that no one denies the fact of cooperation, including information. The main question is whether “confidentiality” and “harm” have taken place. We are following developments,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.
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