Putin criticizes U.S. arrests of spy suspects

NY Post ^ | June 29, 2010 | RICHARD BOUDREAUX

[Scanian]

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday criticized the arrests of suspects in an alleged Russian spy ring, saying U.S. law-enforcement authorities "went out of control." He voiced hope that the scandal would not harm relations between the two countries.

Russia's Foreign Ministry acknowledged that some of the suspects are Russian citizens. It called on American authorities to give them access to lawyers and Russian consular officials, and to take into account the "positive character" of U.S.-Russian ties in treating the case.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday announced the arrests of 10 alleged deep-cover Russian agents, saying it had tracked them for years. They are accused of attempting to infiltrate U.S. policy-making circles while posing as ordinary citizens.

An 11th person allegedly involved in the Russian spy ring was arrested Tuesday in Cyprus.

Russian officials called the arrests an unjustified throwback to the Cold War, but their restrained reaction appeared to be an attempt to limit the diplomatic fallout. "They haven't explained to us what this is about," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Israel. "I hope they will."

[macquire]

What the heck is Bill Clinton doing meeting with Putin?

Don’t we have a Secretary of State for that? Oh, it’s his wife....

[Diogenesis]

There was no denial.

[Thunder90]

I bet that some FBI agents and Justice Department officials will be losing their jobs soon. Obama is reported to not be happy about these arrests. (The fact that the foreign agents were arrested).

[Carley]

Bubba there at Putin’s summer compound.

Watch the msm make a joke out of this.

[Bad~Rodeo]

Russian officials called the arrests an unjustified throwback to the Cold War

First Mexico slams us over the immigration reform bill and now Russia claims "arrests unjustified". Will the spineless one ever grow one. God almighty PLEASE save us from this poor excuse of a president

[Sacajaweau]

Obama was laughing it up with Medvedev and this was going on at the same time. If Obama didn't know then something is so terribly wrong.

Obama is just so special.

[LibLieSlayer]

FUpooty and ‘toon and the kenyan.

LLS

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Nothing to worry about here. Our president will make sure that the spies never have to suffer the indignity of an American jail. They will be given a tap on the wrist and a verbal warning, and be free to go about their daily lives. Meanwhile our president is having a sweet talk with the people he really likes in Moscow and telling them how much he admires them and their way of life.

[DustyMoment]

And, in other news, water is STILL wet!!!

[dfwgator]

Expect the Russians to arrest some spies, and a swap to be arranged.

[subterfuge]

Since the spies were preparing to go back to Russia, the arrests were the best thing that could have happened to them. They’ll get a slap on the wrist, spread a little sprinkling of propaganda the leftists will devour, then Hollywood will roll out the red carpet and they’ll get their own reality show. Livin’ the Dream!!

[hennie pennie]

>>>> "Nothing to worry about here. Our president will make sure that the spies never have to suffer the indignity of an American jail. They will be given a tap on the wrist and a verbal warning, and be free to go about their daily lives." <<<<

No, I'm sure you are mistaken.

There are strict federal laws to follow when one is a LEGAL AGENT of a foreign government. Unregistered Illegals are a big No-No and there are long prison terms associated with espionage convictions.

[hennie pennie]

>>>> "Since the spies were preparing to go back to Russia, the arrests were the best thing that could have happened to them. They'll get a slap on the wrist...." <<<<

Where did you read that these spies were preparing to return to Russia?

Thanks.

[OldDeckHand]

"There are strict federal laws to follow when one is a LEGAL AGENT of a foreign government."

While I trust Eric Holder to enforce the law about as far as I can throw him, the violations that have thus far been alleged, are serious crimes. 18 U.S.C. § 951, which I believe is the only crime that these spies have been charged with, carries with it a possible 10-year prison sentence. Also, it would not be surprising if the feds are building a stronger, and more expansive case. Additional charges are not unlikely.

I would point out however, in cases involving foreign espionage, it also isn't uncommon for negotiations to take place with the spies' home country. Frequently, you'll see (after a period of time passes) and exchange take place - their captured spies for our captured spies. That is a possibility here, I would presume.

[subterfuge]

Can’t remember exactly, but I think it was an article I saw here on the forum. Now that I think about it, I may have heard it on FOX this morning. But I distinctly heard that or read that somewhere. The truth is out there. (sorry)

[hennie pennie]

Thanks.

Way too many people are treating this as a big joke, but it is VERY serious and who knows what they were really up to, and who knows if they were actually caught or if they were SUPPOSED to be noticed earlier on, to tie up LE resources and serve as a decoy for something lots more dangerous.