Russia's FSB Opens Espionage Case Against American

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Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on January 19 it has initiated an espionage case against a U.S. citizen but did not name the person or specify whether the individual was in custody. In a brief statement, the FSB service said the American is "suspected of collecting intelligence information on biological topics directed against the security of the Russian Federation." State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said Washington is aware of the reports and is looking into the matter. He added that Russia generally does not abide by its obligations to provide timely notification of the detention of U.S. citizens. To read the original story from AP, click here.