Russian sleeper agents exposed and deported from the United States in 2010 were actively grooming members' children to carry on their undercover espionage, a news report said.
Agents' children represented an especially valuable asset, as they would be more likely to pass the background checks necessary to work in high-profile U.S. institutions, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing current and former U.S. officials.
According to the report, Tim Foley, who had just finished his second year at the prestigious George Washington University at the time of his parents' arrest, had already agreed to travel to Russia to receive spy training and continue his parents' work. The 10-person spy ring had seven children ranging between 1 and 20 years old, the report said. All but one returned to Russia with their parents following a spy-swap deal in which four agents convicted of spying in Russia for the West were released.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.