August 2024 Intelligence News

Report on banning foreign real estate acquisitions sent out for comments Finnish MoD 02 Sep 2024 -- The Finnish Government aims to improve national security of Finland by tightening the legislation on foreign real estate transactions.
'Renaissance of illegals': Since start of war in Ukraine, Russia relies more on bargain-basement spies VOA 31 Aug 2024 -- They are known as "illegals" — spies who operate under the guise of normal jobs.
Russian disinformation will not deter the UK from supporting Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 30 Aug 2024 -- Statement by Fergus Eckersley, Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
Macron Defends Giving French Citizenship To Indicted Telegram CEO Durov RFE/RL 29 Aug 2024 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on August 29 that he stands fully behind the decision to grant citizenship to Pavel Durov, a day after the Telegram co-founder and CEO was indicted in Paris on charges of failing to control illegal content on the popular messaging app.
Alleging illegal content, France charges Telegram boss; Russia gives warning VOA 29 Aug 2024 -- Russia on Thursday warned France not to turn the investigation of Pavel Durov, the boss of Telegram, into a "political persecution" after the billionaire 39-year-old CEO was put under formal investigation relating to activities on his social media platform.
Russia-French ties hit rock bottom following Telegram CEO's arrest: Moscow Press TV 28 Aug 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the country's relations with France have reached their lowest level since Paris's arrest without charge of the Telegram messaging application's CEO.
Head Of Telegram Messaging App Indicted In France, Barred From Leaving Country RFE/RL 28 Aug 2024 -- Telegram chief Pavel Durov has been indicted on charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app and placed under judicial supervision, the Paris prosecutor's office said on August 28.
Durov Hit With Six Charges, Barred From Leaving France - Paris Prosecutor's Office Sputnik 28 Aug 2024 -- Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been hit with six charges, including allegedly administering online platform in order to commit illegal transactions and drug trafficking, the Paris Prosecutors's Office said on Wednesday.
Telegram CEO's Detention In France Extended As Moscow Cries Foul RFE/RL 27 Aug 2024 -- The detention of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, has been extended by a French investigative judge until August 28 as Moscow expressed outrage over what it said appeared to be "a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication."
EXCLUSIVE: Arrest of Chinese dissident on spy charges leaves trail of broken trust Radio Free Asia 27 Aug 2024 -- The FBI came to Jen Salen's door on Wednesday afternoon. Shocked would not even come close to describing her astonishment.
Why Did Telegram's CEO Durov Have a Target on His Back? Sputnik 26 Aug 2024 -- Pavel Durov, the Russian-born co-founder of the Telegram encrypted messaging app, was arrested at Paris's Bourget airport where his private jet touched down on Saturday. The tycoon is accused of ostensibly enabling criminal activities through insufficient moderation of the platform, and is to appear in court as a French citizen.
Explainer: The Dark Side Of Telegram RFE/RL 26 Aug 2024 -- When protests erupted in Belarus in 2020 after a rigged presidential election, activists turned to Telegram to coordinate action, evading the watch of the authorities in Alyaksandr Lukashenka's repressive society and highlighting the good the messaging app could do.
French President Says Arrest Of Telegram CEO Was Not A Political Decision RFE/RL 26 Aug 2024 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on August 26 that the arrest of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born co-founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was not political.
Macron Says Telegram CEO Arrest in France Not Political Decision Sputnik 26 Aug 2024 -- The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France is not a political decision, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
Telegram CEO arrested at French airport IRNA 25 Aug 2024 -- Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram has been arrested at Paris Le Bourget Airport for allegedly enabling criminal activity with his encrypted messaging app, French media reported.
Pavel Durov, Billionaire Founder Of Telegram App, Detained In France, Company Says RFE/RL 25 Aug 2024 -- Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was detained at the Bourget airport outside Paris and was scheduled to appear in court late on August 25 or 26, French media reported, citing unnamed sources.
CIA Chief Meets With Kurti At End Of Kosovo Visit RFE/RL 23 Aug 2024 -- CIA Director William Burns held talks on August 23 in Pristina with Prime Minister Albin Kurti before concluding his two-day visit in Kosovo, the Kosovar government said in a statement.
FBI raids home of Russian state TV commentator in election-meddling probe VOA 23 Aug 2024 -- An FBI raid on a house about an hour outside Washington this month renewed focus on U.S. efforts to combat foreign interference in the 2024 election.
Iran Tries To 'Storm' U.S. Election With Russian-Style Disinformation Campaign RFE/RL 23 Aug 2024 -- Iran is striking out left and right in an attempt to interfere with the U.S. presidential election in November with the help of slick-looking websites, hackers, and phishing attacks.
ODNI Releases Intelligence Community Annual Demographic Report for Fiscal Year 2023 Director of National Intelligence 23 Aug 2024 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) today released the Intelligence Community (IC) Annual Demographic Report for Fiscal Year 2023.
Taiwan sentences 8 military officers to prison for spying for China VOA 23 Aug 2024 -- The Taiwan High Court on Thursday sentenced eight Taiwanese military officers to prison for spying for China in exchange for financial gain. Experts say the case shows a shift in China's espionage tactics in Taiwan.
CIA Chief Makes Stop In Kosovo As Part Of Unannounced Visit To Balkan Region RFE/RL 22 Aug 2024 -- CIA director William Burns has arrived in Kosovo after stops earlier this week in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia on an unannounced trip amid concerns about U.S. relations with Kosovo and Russian influence in the Balkans.
How An Accused Russian Spy Traversed Nagorno-Karabakh And Armenian Politics As A Journalist RFE/RL 22 Aug 2024 -- Following a historic prisoner swap between Russia and the West this month, Armine, an ethnic Armenian displaced from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, watched footage of the exchanged Russians disembarking from their plane and being greeted on the tarmac by Russian President Vladimir Putin -- rewinding and replaying it in disbelief.
Military officers given up to 13 years in jail for spying for China CNA 22 Aug 2024 -- Eight people, including several active-duty military officers, were handed prison sentences ranging from 18 months to 13 years on Thursday for collecting intelligence for China.
Shock and sympathy greet news of arrest of Chinese dissident on spy charges Radio Free Asia 22 Aug 2024 -- The arrest of a prominent Chinese pro-democracy activist on spy charges has shaken a community of dissidents already alarmed by the specter of infiltration from Beijing.
New York Man Arrested for Operating as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government in the United States US Dept. of Justice 21 Aug 2024 -- Yuanjun Tang, 67, a naturalized citizen of the United States and resident of Queens, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as an unregistered agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and making materially false statements to the FBI. Tang was arrested today in Flushing, Queens, and will be presented this afternoon.
US, UK, Poland Took Part in Preparing Ukraine's Operation in Kursk - Russian Foreign Intel Sputnik 21 Aug 2024 -- On August 6, Ukrainian forces launched an incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which was slammed by President Vladimir Putin as a large-scale provocation. The Kiev regime planned the attack with the participation of the US and NATO, Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev earlier said.
CIA Chief In Bosnia To Emphasize U.S. Support And 'Worrying' Rhetoric Of Republika Srpska President RFE/RL 20 Aug 2024 -- SARAJEVO -- CIA Director William Burns was in Sarajevo on August 20 to discuss the "worrying secessionist rhetoric and actions" of the pro-Russian president and government of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serb entity, a U.S. government official told RFE/RL.
2 indicted for stealing trade secrets for Chinese company CNA 20 Aug 2024 -- The Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office has indicted two men for allegedly stealing technology from their former Japan-based employer on behalf of a Chinese company, the office said.
China's state security authorities expose espionage cases involving postal deliveries Global Times 20 Aug 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Tuesday disclosed several cases in which foreign espionage and intelligence agencies used postal deliveries to carry out espionage activities, including mailing alligator snapping turtles, American bullfrogs, and other species to China, with the aim to disrupt local ecosystem and biodiversity.
Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts Director of National Intelligence 19 Aug 2024 -- "As each of us has indicated in prior public statements, Iran seeks to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions. Iran has furthermore demonstrated a longstanding interest in exploiting societal tensions through various means, including through the use of cyber operations to attempt to gain access to sensitive information related to U.S. elections."
Spies exploit university students to photograph sensitive research sites: MSS Global Times 19 Aug 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Monday that foreign spies, under the pretext of "making friends" and "giving part-time jobs," were luring college students to take photos of sensitive research bases to collect secret information.
China's Counterespionage Law will not target normal business activities: FM Global Times 19 Aug 2024 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday said that China's Counterespionage Law targets the very few spying activities that are harmful to China's national security, not normal business and investment activity.
US Not Sharing Intel Data With Kiev, Avoiding Complicity in Kursk Region Attack - Reports Sputnik 17 Aug 2024 -- The United States is not sharing intelligence with Kiev about objects on the internationally recognized Russian territory, fearing to create the impression that the American authorities support the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a high-ranking US official.
China's state security ministry unveils espionage disguised as wind measurement tower construction Global Times 18 Aug 2024 -- A few individual companies with ties to foreign intelligence agencies have quietly infiltrated areas around China's important confidential sites under the guise of building anemometer towers for wind measurement, and have illegally collected and secretly transmitted sensitive data overseas, posing a threat to China's state security, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Sunday.
Intelligence apparatuses of 53 states have Iran desk: Proposed min. IRNA 18 Aug 2024 -- The proposed minister of intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran has emphasized that the intelligence services of 53 countries have Iran sections, and many sabotage acts are carried out with the participation of different actors.
Social media hackers target Taiwan military in disinformation drive: Investigation Bureau CNA 17 Aug 2024 -- Taiwan's national security faces new threats from overseas as several hacked social media accounts were found being used to spread disinformation about its military, and some of the messages sent were widely shared by over 150 Facebook fan pages, according to the Investigation Bureau.
FBI Raids Home Of Russian-American Political Analyst Dmitri Simes RFE/RL 16 Aug 2024 -- Agents of the FBI have raided and searched the Virginia home of Dmitri Simes, a prominent political commentator and author who hosts a current-affairs program on Russia's state-run Channel One television, the newspaper Rappahannock News reported on August 16.
China's MSS warns public of overseas espionage threats through professional networking apps Global Times 16 Aug 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned the public on Friday to be vigilant against overseas espionage intelligence agencies using professional networking apps for recruitment and espionage activities, which pose a threat to national security.
MAC criticizes China's claim of uncovering over 1,000 Taiwanese spy cases CNA 15 Aug 2024 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday that China's claim of detecting more than 1,000 cases of espionage by Taiwanese spies was a means of achieving "goals" set by high-level Chinese authorities.
EU Criticizes Claims of Intelligence Cooperation Between Belgrade and Moscow RFE/RL 15 Aug 2024 -- The European Union has told Serbia that maintaining ties with Russia during its war of aggression against Ukraine is not compatible with EU values and the accession process.
China says it 'destroyed large network' of Taiwanese spies Radio Free Asia 14 Aug 2024 -- China has "destroyed" a large network of Taiwanese spies in the mainland and uncovered more than 1,000 espionage cases undertaken by Taiwan, China's security ministry said as it vowed to fight "separatism."
Polish prosecutors file espionage charges against Russian-born man VOA 14 Aug 2024 -- Polish prosecutors filed espionage charges against a Russian-Spanish man on Wednesday, days after he was released from custody through a prisoner swap.
U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Pleads Guilty to Charges of Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations and Bribery US Dept. of Justice 13 Aug 2024 -- Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty today to all charges against him in the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March 2024 charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.
Five things the Shujun Wang trial revealed about Chinese espionage Radio Free Asia 13 Aug 2024 -- The case against Shujun Wang, a former academic in Flushing, Queens, unfolded in a Brooklyn courthouse in late July and early August. Federal prosecutors presented evidence showing he had been working for the Chinese Ministry of State Security intelligence service for years, providing the MSS with information about the pro-democracy movement in the United States.
Experts warn of national security risks from Chinese apps CNA 12 Aug 2024 -- Chinese apps are a potential national security risk because of China's authoritarian political system, according to two experts from the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR).
Pakistan Military Arrests Former Intelligence Chief Faiz Hameed, Initiates Court Martial Proceedings RFE/RL 12 Aug 2024 -- The former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the military's powerful spy agency, Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed, has been arrested and had court martial proceedings initiated against him, the military said in a statement on August 12.
Pakistan arrests former spymaster for military trial VOA 12 Aug 2024 -- Pakistan's military announced on Monday that it had detained the country's former spy chief and initiated court-martial proceedings against him on charges of abuse of office, corruption and army regulation breaches.
Chinese Surveillance Firm Selling Cameras With 'Skin Color Analytics' VOA 11 Aug 2023 -- IPVM, a U.S.-based security and surveillance industry research group, says the Chinese surveillance equipment maker Dahua is selling cameras with what it calls a "skin color analytics" feature in Europe, raising human rights concerns.
Iran rejects claims about hacking Trump's presidential campaign Press TV 11 Aug 2024 -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has rejected claims about hacking the campaign of US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, saying the Islamic Republic attaches no credit to such accusations.
Iran rejects claims of involvement in Trump's campaign hacking IRNA 11 Aug 2024 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has roundly rejected allegations about Tehran's role in hacking the election campaign of former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, saying the Islamic Republic has no purpose or motive to interfere in the American presidential election.
Israel evacuates 4 intelligence, security agencies in Tel Aviv: Report IRNA 10 Aug 2024 -- The Zionist regime has evacuated four of its important intelligence and security bases in Tel Aviv, according to a Saudi channel.
Supreme Court upholds sentences for retired Army personnel in spying case CNA 10 Aug 2024 -- The Supreme Court has upheld lower court prison sentences for two retired members of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army who were found guilty of attempting to collect military intelligence for China.
Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export Controls US Dept. of Justice 09 Aug 2024 -- Arthur Petrov, 33, a dual Russian and German national, made his initial appearance in federal court today, following his extradition from the Republic of Cyprus for criminal offenses related to export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering. Petrov allegedly participated in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.
Dual Russian-German Citizen Held In U.S. For Operating Alleged 'Tech-Trafficking Syndicate' RFE/RL 09 Aug 2024 -- A dual Russian-German citizen has been ordered held without bail in New York City on charges that he conspired to smuggle U.S. microelectronics to military manufacturers in Russia to aid its war in Ukraine.
U.S.-U.K. Teams Receive Bilateral Academic Research Award to Investigate Adversary Social Influence and Information Campaigns DoD 08 Aug 2024 -- The Department of Defense today announced the selection of a team of United States and United Kingdom academic researchers to investigate the growing threat that malign social influence campaigns pose to democracies.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the situation with Estonian journalist Svetlana Burtseva Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07 Aug 2024
The United States of America and Australia Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation US Dept. of State 07 Aug 2024 -- On August 5, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Australia on countering foreign state information manipulation.
Iran's UN mission rejects links with 'assassination plot' against US politicians Press TV 07 Aug 2024 -- Iran has roundly rejected having any connection with a Pakistani individual, who has reportedly been arrested in the United States and charged with being behind a foiled plot to assassinate US politicians.
Pakistani National with Ties to Iran Charged in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate a Politician or U.S. Government Official US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2024 -- Earlier today, a complaint was unsealed in Brooklyn charging Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, 46, with murder-for-hire as part of an alleged scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on U.S. soil. Law enforcement foiled the charged plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant is in federal custody.
U.S. Charges Pakistani Man With Alleged Ties To Iran In Foiled Assassination Plot RFE/RL 06 Aug 2024 -- The United States on August 6 charged a Pakistani man with alleged ties to Iran in connection with a foiled murder-for-hire plot to assassinate a U.S. politician or government officials in the United States.
Iranian plot to kill US officials, politicians tied to Pakistani man VOA 06 Aug 2024 -- An Iranian plot to kill former U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have centered on a Pakistani man with ties to Tehran who hoped to also target other high-profile politicians and officials.
Federal Jury Convicts New York Resident of Acting as a Covert Chinese Agent US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2024 -- Shujun Wang, 75, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Chinese descent, an academic and author who helped start a pro-democracy organization in Queens, New York, that opposes the current communist regime in the People's Republic of China (PRC), was convicted today on all four counts of an indictment charging him with acting and conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the U.S. Attorney General, criminal use of identification and making false statements to law enforcement.
US historian found guilty of working as Chinese spy Radio Free Asia 06 Aug 2024 -- Shujun Wang, a dapper 76-year-old Chinese American author, was found guilty today of espionage after a 7-day trial in federal court that exposed a widespread and elaborate effort by the Chinese government to infiltrate the United States and to influence the public's views of the Chinese Communist Party.
Putin's welcome ends speculation around true identity of Pablo Gonzalez VOA 05 Aug 2024 -- When Pablo Gonzalez stepped off a plane to be greeted by Vladmir Putin last week it appeared to confirm suspicions that he was indeed a Russian spy who had used the cover of a journalist to gather intelligence.
Kremlin-backed TV channel woos Africa VOA 05 Aug 2024 -- Billboards and videos popping up in several African cities show 20th-century independence leaders and anti-colonial quotes as part of a drive to promote the Kremlin-backed outlet RT.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation and a Joint Communique on the U.S.-Australia Landsat Next 2030 International Partnership Initiative US Dept. of State 05 Aug 2024
Chinese national security authority warns online office tools, AI tech of risking leaking confidential info Global Times 04 Aug 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security warned those working with confidential information against using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to write confidential materials and chat groups to discuss classified content, saying that numerous cases of data leaks were caused by the use of online office programs in recent years.
EU Voices Concern, Asks Hungary For Clarifications On Plan To Ease Entry For Russians, Belarusians RFE/RL 02 Aug 2024 -- EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has voiced concern about Hungary's recent decision to make it easier for Russian and Belarusian citizens to enter the country and asked Budapest for clarifications.
Moldovan Official Accused Of Treason Placed In Preventive Custody RFE/RL 02 Aug 2024 -- A court in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, has ordered preventive custody for one of the two suspects detained on July 31 in a case of treason and conspiracy that has also led to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat.
Brussels Frustrated With Hungary Over Russian Visa Decision That Could Let In Spies RFE/RL 01 Aug 2024 -- Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Hungary has stubbornly refused to join EU efforts to punish and isolate Moscow.
Moldova Expels Russian Diplomat Amid Spying Investigation RFE/RL 01 Aug 2024 -- Moldova's Foreign Ministry has declared an employee of the Russian Embassy to Chisinau persona non grata and gave him 48 hours to leave the country. The move comes hours after authorities in Chisinau detained two Moldovan officials following a raid by security forces on parliament premises linked to a spying investigation.
Russia, China leading wave of 'unprecedented' intelligence threats to US VOA 01 Aug 2024 -- The United States is facing a series of unprecedented threats from foreign intelligence agencies, some of which are increasingly cooperating with each other to gain an advantage, according to a newly approved strategy to blunt the impact of espionage.

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