MOSCOW. June 9 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported detaining a former employee of a defense enterprise who was planning to share classified information with German security services in exchange for citizenship.
"The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation documented and prevented an act of espionage in the interests of Germany [carried out] by a former employee of a defense enterprise in the Omsk region," the FSB said.
The man took the initiative in establishing contact with a German representative "in order to share information on military matters in exchange for assistance in obtaining German citizenship," the FSB said.
"Following operational and investigative measures, [the FSB] documented the defendant's illegal actions aimed at collecting information about important military facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry, which he had learned about as part of his official duties," it said.
A criminal case on charges of high treason has been launched against the detained individual. He faces punishment of up to life imprisonment.