The Russian Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, announced Tuesday that it had detained a CIA agent that they claim was attempting to recruit one of their agents while acting as a secretary at the American Embassy in Moscow. The FSB has sent orders for his expulsion.

 

Russian news sites published pictures of the agent, identified as Ryan Christopher Fogle, being arrested and placed on trial. Pictures of Fogle's supposed possessions and ID were also published. The FSB said that Fogle was carrying a large amount of cash, a phone and compass, and "appearance disguising means" that included two wigs.

 

The FSB also released to Russian news sources a letter allegedly addressed to a Russian agent, instructing him to create a Gmail account for confidential messages and offering $100,000 "to discuss your experience, expertise, and cooperation," along with a chance of up to $1 million for "long-term cooperation" and answering "specific questions."

 

The Russian Foreign Ministry has asked U.S. Ambassador Michael A. McFaul to appear Wednesday to discuss the incident. The FSB also says that its counterintelligence division has evidence of multiple recent attempts by the U.S. to recruit Russian officials. The U.S. Embassy has not commented.

 

The accusations come during a time of very strained relations between the U.S. and Russia. President Vladimir Putin has expressed public support for new laws that would prevent Russian politicians from keeping wealth overseas. Such laws have been created following worries over political interference and espionage from the West.

 

 

Read the full story and see the photos of Ryan Fogle from Russia Today here.

 

Reach Executive Producer Jeremy Fuster here or follow him on Twitter