Federal prosecutors in New York City say a Latvian-born woman who has drawn comparisons to a spy with the same first name will spend four months in jail for trying to smuggle high-tech rifle scopes to Russia.
Prosecutors said Monday that Anna Fermanova also was sentenced to four months of house arrest. The Plano, Texas, woman pleaded guilty in January.
The 25-year-old Fermanova was caught at New York's Kennedy airport last year with the scopes stashed in her luggage. Her lawyer says they were meant for a relative at a Moscow gun club.
News reports have compared Fermanova to Russian Anna Chapman, who became a tabloid sensation after being accused in a New York spy ring. Chapman was sent back to Russia as part of a spy swap.
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.