Intelligence

Russia's FSB accuses official with revealing state secrets

RIA Novosti

26/05/2008 12:18 SYKTYVKAR, May 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched a criminal case against a deputy interior minister in Russia's northwest Komi Republic accused with divulging state secrets.

"We are investigating a case which involves officials from the Interior Ministry in Komi, including Vasily Lytoyev," the head of the local investigative department, Nikolai Basmanov said.

According to the popular business daily Kommersant, Lytoyev is accused of revealing secret information to media sources into an investigation against Syktyvkar mayor Roman Zenishev.

In an interview with the daily, Lytoyev said, however, his arrest was linked with his professional activities.

"We are trying to fight corruption. Most likely the local authorities do not like it that we carry out checks not only into officials but into some businesses involving high-ranking personalities," Lytoyev said.

If convicted, the deputy interior minister, who was been suspended from his post, could face up to seven years in prison.