Former investigative journalist Safronov accused of passing classified information to Czech intelligence

Former investigative journalist Ivan Safronov, who was arrested by Russian counterintelligence agents on Tuesday, stands accused of passing classified information to Czech intelligence, according to his lawyer Jevgenij Smirnov.

According to the prosecution Safronov transmitted secret information about Russia’s military cooperation with Middle East and African countries to the Czech Republic’s intelligence services which were acting in coordination with the CIA.

Safronov himself maintains that the case against him is linked to his journalistic activities and denies any guilt. Ivan Safronov was arrested on Tuesday morning by agents from the FSB, the successor agency of the KGB. He could face up to 20 years in prison.