MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - Russian citizen Vladimir Yesipenko, who Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) believes was gathering intelligence in Crimea for Ukrainian intelligence agencies, was detained on March 10 on suspicion of illegal manufacture of weapons or ammunition, lawyer Emil Kurbedinov told Interfax.
"He was detained on the 10th. At the time, he was charged with a crime under Part 1 of Russian Criminal Code Article 223.1 (illegal manufacture, conversion, or repair of a firearm or its main components, except a firearm of limited effect). What [he is accused of] now, I don't know," Kurbedinov said.
Kurbedinov said that he was told recently that Yesipenko had rejected his services. The lawyer added that he had not seen his client since his arrest.
Earlier, the FSB public relations center announced Yesipenko's capture in Crimea on suspicion of spying for Ukraine.
The FSB said he was taking pictures and shooting videos of critical infrastructure facilities and public places.
Security operatives discovered an object that looks like an improvised explosive device in Yesipenko's personal car and confiscated it.
"According to the detainee, he collected said information in the interests of Ukrainian special services on the orders of a Col. Kravchuk, a reserve officer of unit 8 of the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service's department 5, and he kept the improvised explosive device, as recommended by Kravchuk, in his car for his personal security," the FSB said.
On March 12, a court remanded Yesipenko in custody for two months, a source told Interfax.