Russians arrest two on suspicion of spying for Britain

Two people have been arrested in Russia on suspicion of spying for Britain, the Interfax news agency reported today.

State Duma legislator Nikolai Kovalyov, a former director of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, made the comment on NTV television, Interfax reported.

Less than a week ago, the FSB accused four British diplomats of spying and said one of them had provided money for non-government organisations – an espionage scandal dismissed by Kremlin critics as part of a campaign to discredit NGOs.

It was unclear whether Kovalyov was referring to British or Russian citizens. Diplomats have immunity from arrest.

A duty officer at the Federal Security Service, the Soviet KGB’s main successor, said the agency could not comment.

Correspondents at NTV said a portion of a programme featuring Kovalyov was aired as a teaser but that the show would be broadcast tomorrow, and they could not confirm the content of his comments.

British Embassy officials could not be reached for comment.