Russian court sentences US citizen to 15 years in jail for espionage

A Russian court has sentenced a U.S. citizen to 15 years in jail for espionage on Tuesday, according to Russian state media outlets.

Eugene Spector, who was born in Russia but later moved to the U.S. and got his U.S. citizenship, was already serving a 3 1/2-year sentence for bribery. On Tuesday, a new sentence of 13 years in a maximum security penal colony was added on, bringing his total time behind bars to 15 years, RIA Novosti reported.

Spector was also fined 14 million rubles, which is around $140,000. The hearings took place behind closed doors.

Spector moved back to Russia as an adult and became the chair of the board of Medpolymerprom Group, a medical equipment company, before his 2021 conviction.

The executive was detained in 2020 after being accused of helping bribe an assistant to former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. Spector pleaded guilty. Anastasia Alekseyeva, the aide, ended up being sentenced to 12 years in prison, per Russian state media reports.

Spector was hit with additional espionage counts in August 2023, but the details around the case were not public.

Spector is one of several Americans serving time in Russia’s prisons.

Russia, the U.S. and other Western allies brokered a historical prisoner swap this August. Twenty-four prisoners were exchanged. The swap, which took place in Turkey, freed three high-profile Americans — Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva — as well as 13 other Westerners and Russian dissidents. In return, Russia secured the release of eight prisoners who were held in various countries.

Topics

Dutch Court Sentences Five in Attacks on Israeli Soccer Fans

The sentences ranged from community service to six months in prison in connection with a spasm of violence in Amsterdam last month.
The Wall Street Journal - 10h
Russia Sentences a U.S. Citizen, Eugene Spector, to 15 Years for Espionage

Eugene Spector was already serving a sentence for a bribery conviction when he was charged with spying, for which a court ordered him to serve an additional 13 years.
The New York Times - 11h
Dutch Court Issues Prison Sentences Over Violence Against Israeli Soccer Fans

Five people were found guilty of crimes, including public violence, in relation to attacks targeting Israelis in Amsterdam last month.
The New York Times - 15h
Five men jailed by Amsterdam court over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game

An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six month in jail against five men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s ...
ABC News - 16h
Russian-born US citizen jailed in Moscow on espionage charges

The allegations against the businessman, who was tried behind closed doors, are not being made public.
BBC News - 17h
American imprisoned in Russia given new 15-year jail term for "espionage"

Russian-born U.S. citizen Gene Spector, who is already imprisoned in Russia on a bribery conviction, has been handed a second 15-year jail term for espionage, Russian media reports.
CBS News - 18h
American imprisoned in Russia sentenced to new 15-year jail term for espionage

A Russian-born U.S. citizen already imprisoned in Russia on a bribery conviction has been handed a second 15-year jail term for espionage, Russian news agencies reported
ABC News - 20h
Russian court jails U.S. citizen Eugene Spector for 15 years in espionage case, state news reports

A Russian court has sentenced U.S. citizen Eugene Spector to 15 years in jail for espionage, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.
NBC News - 20h
Drug lord back in Colombia after 20 years in US jail

Fabio Ochoa Vasquez completed his prison sentence in the US and returned home a free man.
BBC News - 22h