MOSCOW – Attempting to make a political point, a group of Russian lawmakers is initiating a request to the United States seeking the extradition of a Russian intelligence officer who escaped to America in 2010 after betraying a major network of Russian spies in the United States.
The lawmakers are comparing the case of Col. Alexander Poteyev to that of NSA leaker Edward Snowden, who remains holed up in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, having requested asylum in more than two dozen nations.
"We initiate this request in connection with the status and the situation around Edward Snowden, who is still in Russia," said a lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. "Thus we would like to test the readiness of the United States for cooperation with Russia on various issues."
Poteyev fled to the United States in 2010 after exposing a network of 11 spies, including Anna Chapman, who were detained and then exchanged for two Russians serving prison terms for espionage. Poteyev was found guilty of treason in absentia by a Russian military court.
"This move is certainly designed to only demonstrate to the United States that they have no right to ask for Snowden's extradition," said Igor Korotchenko, editor of the National Defense monthly journal. "The United States will never ever extradite Poteyev because he was the most precious mole the U.S. ever had recruited among the Russian intelligence."
Said Korotchenko: "The U.S. will not exchange Poteyev for 10 Snowdens."
Los Angeles Times
