In Russia, the 78-year-old President of the Arctic Academy of Sciences was accused of treason

Russia’s President Arctic Academy of Sciences, 78-year-old St. Petersburg scientist Valery Mitko was accused of treason in favour of China. This was written the publication of “Medusa”.

Mitko was arrested in February, he was under house arrest. On 5 June he extended the term of arrest until October 10.

According to investigators, at least the spring of 2017 Mitko cooperating with the Chinese secret service: “selfish interest” he allegedly agreed to collect information constituting a state secret “military nature”. Chinese agents allegedly asked Mitko to collect data about the ways and methods of detection of submarines in exchange for financial reward.

The man pleaded not guilty.

Mitko besides working in the Academy, also teaches at Dalian Maritime University in China as visiting Professor. The wife of the scientist told the newspaper that twice a year he traveled to China to lecture on Hydrophysics. These trips resulted in the criminal case against the scientist, the lawyer said Mitko, Ivan Pavlov. Mitko denies not only the collection of sensitive information, but also any contacts with the secret services of China.

Family scientist believes that the criminal case against him appeared because of the desire of the FSB to a higher rank.

Pavlov noted that, based on the existing practice, the state secret you can recognize anything. Russian laws are arranged so that the list of information constituting a state secret, the secret itself, the lawyer said. Not having access to secret information, one cannot know what is secret and what is not. However, the responsibility does not exempt, he added.