Moscow, 6 May: The Russian Federal Security Service [FSB] registered and prevented illegal activities by 31 foreign journalists on Russian territory in 2001.
"Eighteen foreign members of the press were deprived of their visas and barred from entering Russia for the next five years due to violations of Russian laws," head of the FSB's counterintelligence operations department Lt-Gen Nikolay Volobuyev said in an interview published in today's edition of Gazeta, which is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian counterintelligence service marked on 6 May.
"Foreign special services have begun to increasingly often employ new and non-traditional forms and methods of work with Russian citizens, many of which seemed impossible, in particular for ethical reasons, just several years ago," Volobuyev said. "For instance, the practice of work on the 'purchase and sale' or 'service for service' basis is becoming more and more widespread in recruiting work by foreign special services," the general said.
"As a reward for information services provided, [Russian citizens] are offered foreign money exchange, different valuables, assistance in gaining employment at joint ventures for relatives of those recruited, the financing of study abroad for children of candidates for recruitment, or various grants or subsidies on behalf of foreign socio-political foundations," Volobuyev said.