Last Thursay, according to the Sunday Times, Katia Zatuliveter, a 24-year old Russian parliamentary aide was arrested on claims of espionage. Miss Zatuliveter had been working for MP Mike Hancock, a Liberal Democrat from Portsmouth South. Hancock denies the authorities' charges against Zatuliveter. Hancock also claims that Zatylieveter has not seen any evidence against her and that no one has "shown [Hancock] any evidence to support the view that she is any way a threat to the UK". Hancock's constituency is home to a large naval base, and Hancock himself is a member of the House of Commons Defense Select Committee. Miss Zatulieveter has been working for Hancock since 2008 and had previously been an intern in the House of Commons and had worked in Continental Europe. Zatulieveter's arrest was ordered by MI5, Great Britain's counter-intelligence and security agency. Great Britain's home office has declined to comment on the case so far, especially regarding rumors that Zatuliveter could be deported.
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Katia Zatuliveter & MP Mike Hancock |
This case is "believed to be the first time since the end of the Cold War" that a person employed in Parliament has been accused of spying for Russia. It is quite similar to the recent uncovering of a Russian spy ring operating in the United States. Reportedly, Zatuliveter has also been drawing attention from the media, comparing her to the most noticeable member of the American spy ring, Anna Chapman. There is also reports from tabloids that Hancock and Zatuliveter may have been engaged in a relationship, with some newspapers descriping Hancock as having a reputation as a womanizer. Since the case is almost a week old, the exact facts are still murky. If Zatuliveter is indeed found guilty to these charges, it would be a clear indication that the age of espionage between the West and Russia is far from over.
Blog info came from the following link from the BBC News Website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11920665
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