Intelligence

British court to review alleged Russian 'spy' case in February

RIA Novosti

16:37 28/12/2010

MOSCOW, December 28 (RIA Novosti) - A British court will hold in February hearings on the deportation of alleged Russian spy Katia Zatuliveter, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Court hearings have been scheduled for February. They will first address the necessity of measures taken against Zatuliveter, and later - her appeal against deportation," the ministry said.

The 25-year-old Russian, an aide to Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock who sits on the influential Defense Select Committee, was arrested on December 2. She was released on bail on December 13.

It was initially reported that Zatuliveter was suspected of links to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), but later Britain informed Russia that the Dagestan-born parliamentary aide was detained on charges of violating immigration laws.

Zatuliveter has officially denied accusations of using her position as a British lawmaker's aide to spy for Russia and filed an appeal against deportation procedures.

The Russian Embassy in London will continue to provide legal support for Zatuliveter until her case, which still "puzzles" Moscow, is resolved.

"We will continue attempts to clarify all unanswered questions in this case," the ministry said.