A Moscow court has sentenced a former Russian diplomat to 12 years in a maximum-security penal colony after finding him guilty of treason for passing classified information to U.S. intelligence services, Russia’s domestic security agency said on Friday.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said the court convicted Arseniy Konovalov, born in 1987 and formerly employed by Russia’s foreign ministry, of selling state secrets while serving on a long-term assignment in the United States.
In a statement, the FSB said Konovalov had “proactively transferred secret information to American intelligence for monetary compensation,” describing the case as a serious breach of national security.
Convicted of High Treason
According to the FSB, Konovalov was found guilty under Russia’s treason statutes, one of the most serious criminal charges in the country. The sentence includes incarceration in a maximum-security penal colony, typically reserved for individuals convicted of grave crimes against the state.
Russian authorities did not disclose the precise nature of the classified material that Konovalov was accused of passing to U.S. intelligence, nor did they identify the specific American agency allegedly involved. There was no immediate comment from U.S. intelligence agencies.
Arrest and Investigation
Konovalov was detained by the FSB in March 2024, following what the agency described as a counter-intelligence operation. Russia’s state news agency TASS later released video footage showing Konovalov being detained while travelling in a van, appearing visibly shocked as officers informed him that he was suspected of treason.
The FSB, which leads Russia’s counter-intelligence efforts and is the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said the investigation established that Konovalov had abused his official position while stationed abroad.
Service in the United States
Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported that Konovalov had served as second secretary at the Russian Consulate General in Houston, a role that typically involves diplomatic, administrative and liaison responsibilities.
According to the report, Konovalov worked in the United States between 2014 and 2017, during which period he allegedly transferred classified information to U.S. intelligence operatives. The FSB said the information was provided over an extended period and in exchange for money.
Russian officials have not specified when the alleged espionage activities were detected or how long Konovalov remained under surveillance before his arrest.
No Details on Intelligence Damage
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the potential damage caused by the information Konovalov is accused of leaking. The FSB did not indicate whether the material related to diplomatic communications, intelligence assessments, or other sensitive state matters.
Analysts say such secrecy is typical in Russian espionage cases, which are often conducted behind closed doors, with limited public disclosure on the grounds of national security.
Broader Context of Espionage Tensions
The sentencing comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the United States, with both sides frequently accusing each other of espionage, cyber operations and covert influence campaigns.
In recent years, Moscow has taken an increasingly hard line in treason and espionage cases, imposing lengthy prison sentences on individuals accused of cooperating with foreign intelligence services. Human rights groups have criticised the lack of transparency in such trials, while Russian authorities maintain that strict measures are necessary to safeguard state security.
No U.S. Response
There was no immediate response from U.S. officials regarding the conviction or the allegations made by the FSB. Washington has previously denied involvement in several high-profile espionage cases brought by Russian authorities, describing them as politically motivated.
FSB Reaffirms Warning
In its statement, the FSB reiterated warnings that Russian citizens with access to sensitive information would face severe punishment if found cooperating with foreign intelligence agencies.
“The inevitability of punishment for treason against the Russian Federation has once again been demonstrated,” the agency said.
The Konovalov case adds to a growing list of espionage convictions in Russia, underscoring the country’s zero-tolerance approach to intelligence leaks at a time of deepening geopolitical confrontation.
