"In 2020, two Russians, Igor Rogov and Artem Vazhenkov, were in Minsk to witness the mass protests rocking the Belarusian capital after a contested election allegedly rigged in favour of President Alexander Lukashenko. They were members of Open Russia, a Russian opposition group founded by exiled tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. On the afternoon of August 11, they walked past a riot squad on the streets of Minsk when helmeted officers suddenly jumped out of a bush."
"The pair said they were thrown to the ground and hauled off in a van, where they were beaten en route to a detention centre. list of 4 itemsend of list At the detention centre, they were beaten again and forced to kneel in stress positions, they said. Eventually, they were released without charge after the Russian embassy intervened. So after all they had endured together, Vazhenkov was shocked to hear Rogov had been arrested in Poland for espionage."
"According to an indictment seen by The Guardian, 30-year-old Rogov has admitted to Polish investigators that he had been working for Russian intelligence for years. He has also been accused of involvement in a plot to detonate incendiary devices across Europe. The first hearing in the case was held on December 8. If found guilty, he would be the first known Kremlin asset within the opposition movement granted shelter in Europe."
Igor Rogov, a Polish resident and former Open Russia member, has reportedly admitted to Polish investigators that he worked for Russian intelligence for years. In 2020 Rogov and Artem Vazhenkov attended Minsk protests; they say they were seized, beaten, and detained then released after the Russian embassy intervened. Vazhenkov expressed shock after learning of Rogov's arrest in Poland on espionage charges. An indictment accuses Rogov of involvement in a plot to detonate incendiary devices across Europe. The first hearing took place on December 8. A conviction could mark the first known Kremlin asset within the opposition movement sheltered in Europe and raises security and visa concerns.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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