Military, political and industrial espionage is a source of invaluable information. Almost every state has its own special service engaged in illegal intelligence activities.
In recent months, espionage passions have swept almost the whole world after a series of scandalous revelations of former CIA officer Edward Snowden. In order not to stay away from a burning topic, we bring to your attention Top 10 high-profile spy scandals of the last decade.
10) December 2, 2010, Great Britain - Russia
This espionage scandal turned out to be loud, but failed to prove anything. Mike Hancock's former assistant to the House of Commons, Katya Zatuliveter, was accused of transmitting information about the British nuclear program. Catherine should have been deported, however, the girl filed an appeal and was completely acquitted.
9) June 28, 2010, USA - Russia
US intelligence agencies have detained 10 people accused of transmitting classified information to Russia. Among the detainees was Anna Chapman, a well-known TV presenter, entrepreneur and public figure. In July 2010, Russia exchanged detainees for four prisoners serving time in Russia for espionage in favor of the United States.
8) October 18, 2011, Germany - Russia
Spouses Andreas and Haidrun Full House were detained in Germany on charges of prolonged industrial espionage in favor of Russia. German investigative authorities claim that the couple worked for the Russians since the KGB.
7) June 1, 2012, USA - China
China announced the scandalous resignation of the deputy minister of state security of the PRC. The senior official collaborated with the US CIA for several years, passing on secret information to the Americans about China’s military and political plans.
6) October 3, 2012, USA - Russia
The FBI announced the detention of 8 people who were accused of exporting microelectronics designed for military purposes. Four of those arrested have Russian passports: Victoria Klebanova, Alexander Posobilov, Alexander Fishenko and Nastya Dyatlova. The Russians face a prison sentence of several decades.
5) December 7, 2012, USA - Russia
Former military Robert Hoffman was detained while trying to transmit classified information about US national security. Hoffman’s collaboration with Russia has not been confirmed, FBI agents used his alleged membership in the Russian Federation as a legend to capture the suspect.
4) February 6, 2013, Taiwan - China
Taiwanese Air Force officer Yuan Xiaofeng was sentenced by a Taiwan court to 12 life sentences in prison for spying for China. The number of life sentences is not accidental - the security services revealed 12 episodes of the transfer of classified data, for each of which, according to the law, a life sentence is set.
3) May 13, 2013, USA-Russia
On the night of May 13-14, the FSB of Russia detained US CIA officer Ryan Christopher Fogl, who worked undercover as the secretary of the American embassy in Moscow. The agent was detained while trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer. After conducting investigative procedures, Fogl was transferred to US representatives.
2) June 17, 2013, Great Britain and the USA - G8 countries
The Guardian, citing data from Edward Snowden, reported that UK intelligence spied on computer data and phone calls from G8 leaders during the 2009 G8 summit. The installation of the tracking devices was carried out by employees of the NSA and the British Center for Government Communications.
1) June 2013, USA
The loudest spy scandal of the decade became published by Edward Snowden information about the total surveillance of the American intelligence services for both US citizens and foreigners. The PRISM program, which is attended by Microsoft, Google, Skype, Yahoo !, Facebook, YouTube, etc., allows you to view email, attachments and track data on social networks.