by Stephen Lendman

Evgeny Buryakov, aka Zhenya

Rogue states need enemies to advance their agendas. When none exist they're invented. Longstanding US policy.

Russian national Evgeny Buryakov its latest victim. A Russian bank employee arrested in New York on phony espionage charges.

Two other Russian nationals named. Outgoing US Attorney General Eric Holder announced bogus charges.

A Department of Justice statement naming "Evgeny Buryakov, aka Zhenya,' Igor Sporyshev and Victor Podobnyy in connection with Buryakov's service as a covert intelligence agent on behalf of the Russian Federation (Russia) in New York City, without notifying the US Attorney General of Buryakov's status as an agent of Russia, as required by federal law."

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin said "(t)he attempt by foreign nations to illegally gather economic and other intelligence information in the United States through covert agents is a direct threat to the national security of the United States, and it exemplifies why counterespionage is a top priority of the National Security Division."

Buryakov was arrested. Was arraigned before Manhattan US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn the same day.

Sporyshev and Podobnyy no longer reside in America. Both had diplomatic immunity while still here.

Holder lied saying "(t)hese charges demonstrate our firm commitment to combating attempts by covert agents to illegally gather intelligence and recruit spies within the United States."

"We will use every tool at our disposal to identify and hold accountable foreign agents operating inside this country - no matter how deep their cover."

When evidence doesn't exist, it's invented. Buryakov is a US-instigated Cold War II victim.

DOJ's announcement was strategically timed. Three days after Mariupol's shelling.

Two days ahead of EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on possible new Russian sanctions. Washington considering its own.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich issued a statement saying:

"Yevgeny Buryakov, Vnesheconombank’s deputy representative in the US, has reportedly been detained in the US."

"He is charged with gathering intelligence along with two former employees of Russia's diplomatic mission to New York."

"No evidence to support such allegations was presented.

It seems as though the US authorities are once again resorting to their favourite tactics of building up spy hysteria."

"Russian-US relations have been going through quite a complex period due to Washington’s antagonistic stance."

"Apparently, the US has opted for the 'worse is better' approach by deciding to launch yet another round of anti-Russian campaigning."

"The actions to deteriorate our bilateral relations and undermine prospects for interaction between our countries will remain on the conscience of those who initiated them."

"Russia insists on the cessation of provocations unleashed by US intelligence services against Russian citizens, provision of immediate consular access to Yevgeny Buryakov, strict observance of the rights of the Russian citizen and his release."

Washington claims charged Russian nationals operated covertly. Tried recruiting New York City residents as intelligence sources.

Buryakov is accused of being a Russian agent "posing as an employee" of a New York-based Russian bank.

Sporyshev and Podobnyy are called Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) agents.

Gathering intelligence "by posing as official representatives of Russia."

"(T)tansmitting intelligence reports…back to SVR headquarters in Moscow."

Subjects "regularly met and communicated using clandestine methods and coded messages, in order to exchange intelligence-related information while shielding their associations with one another as SVR agents."

So-called evidence includes subjects meeting numerous times from March 2012 through mid-September 2014.

Buryakov allegedly "passing a bag, magazine or slip of paper to Sporyshev." Other so-called evidence sounds just as unconvincing.

Maybe the three were friends. Charges claimed they used code language like going to a movie or sports event as an excuse to meet to exchange intelligence information.

You can't make this stuff up. It sounds like John le Carre or James Bond.

The latest episode in Washington's war on Russia. Including blaming Moscow and Donbas rebels for Kiev's false flag Mariupol shelling.

Systematic US efforts to undermine Russia's economy. More on this below.

Why would three Russians arrange an elaborate undercover scheme when they could accomplish the same thing through well-connected lawyers, consultants or lobbyists?

The way everyone in Washington, New York and other US cities do business. Without being charged with espionage.

Their "crime" is being Russian nationals in America at the wrong time. Cold War 2.0 victims.

Washington's way of portraying Russians as bad guys. Guilty by accusation. So-called evidence is contrived and misleading.

None "backs up (DOJ) accusations," Lukashevich stressed. The last similar spy case occurred in mid-2010.

Involving 10 so-called "sleeper agents." Fingered by the FBI, said RT International. Despite no evidence proving criminality.

At the time, Colombia University Russian specialist, Robert Legvold, said anyone could have gotten what they were accused of through a Google search.

Throughout their years in America, they never sought or obtained classified information. Then Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko called charges against them groundless and malicious.

Former KGB officer Mikhail Lyubimov said the whole story looked more like fiction than fact. Having nothing to do with real undercover work.

"How (could these) professionals (not) notice that secret services had been watching them (for) years? If not them, their wives could have noticed," he said.

"And…it's not clear at all exactly what information (they were) looking for and what (they supposedly) sent to Moscow directly to the Kremlin, Medvedev or Putin. It's nonsense."

Former Russian Federal Security Service head Nikolai Kovalyov said US charges resemble a "bad spy novel."

Getting tough on Russia for political reasons. Using alleged spies as convenient patsies.

The same dirty game repeating. New charges. Different patsies. Go-along media scoundrels regurgitate official Big Lies.

The New York Times headline practically pronounced guilt. Saying "3 Men Are Charged With Serving as Secret Agents for Russia in New York."

Most readers don't get past the headline or first paragraph or two.

In paragraph one, The Times discussed a "secret handoff." In paragraph two, called it "intelligence - gathered…on behalf of SVR."

The Washington Post published an AP report headlined "US announces charges in New York Russian spy ring case."

Again, the first two paragraphs practically pronounce guilt. Saying "Three Russian citizens…spoke in code, passed information concealed in bags and magazines, and tried to recruit people with ties to an unnamed New York university."

"The defendants were directed by Russian authorities 'to gather intelligence,' " according to DOJ charges.

The Wall Street Journal headlined "US Charges Russian Banker in Spy Case."

"(A)ccused him and two others of secretly gathering information about the New York Stock Exchange, US energy resources and sanctions against Moscow."

Like other MSM reports, the Journal emphasized "clandestine meetings." "Coded communications." Russian foreign intelligence agents. Moscow "spycraft."

CNN reported a "Russian spy ring busted in New York." Those charged "are part of the most intense effort by Russia to infiltrate onto American soil since the Cold War," it claimed.

Again, guilt by accusation. Guests CNN interviewed all made similar anti-Russian comments. Part of an ongoing Washington/MSM Russian bashing smear campaign.

Expect more of the same ahead. US and EU leaders are considering more sanctions on Russia. Targeting its technology, energy, defense and banking sectors.

Perhaps this week. After EU officials meet Thursday in Brussels. According to Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland:

"We've looked at the sectors where Russia needs us most - the high-tech energy sector, the defense trade, access to credit."

"There are more things that we can do along those lines. We are looking at that question now, along with Europe."

Nuland was directly involved in last February's US instigated Ukraine coup. Ousting its democratically elected government. Replacing it with illegitimate neo-Nazi thugs.

She remains an unindited war criminal. Ludicrously claiming "an off-ramp for Russia. (A) route back to better ties with all of us…"

Outrageously blaming Moscow for Ukrainian crisis conditions. Ignoring Washington's full responsibility.

Saying "(t)he minute Russia allows Ukraine to control its side of the international border and stops fueling the conflict, the situation will improve."

Code language for demanding Moscow unconditionally accept US hegemony. Surrender its sovereignty. Become another US colony. Never with Putin, Medvedev, and Lavrov et al in charge.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said European foreign ministers will "consider any appropriate action, in particular on further restrictive measures."

He lied claiming "evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility."

On Tuesday, Ukraine's putschist parliament declared Russia an "aggressor" state. Calling Donbas freedom fighters "terrorists."

On Monday, Putin discussed Ukrainian crisis conditions with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Unequivocally blaming Kiev officials for ongoing conflict. In the last 24 hours alone, Lugansk People's Republic's (LPR) health minister reported Kiev shelling killing at least 12 in Stakhanov.

From "Smerch heavy multiple rocket launchers." Another 150 people were hospitalized with injuries.

Russia's Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights Konstantin Dolgov called reemergent Nazism the international community's greatest threat.

Its epicenter in Ukraine. Its policies directed from Washington. Dolgov saying "(w)e are faced with a very alarming phenomenon - neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and Islamophobia."

"That's a powerful delayed action bomb planted under international security and stability."

The threat of wider war beyond Donbas looms. Irresponsible US-led NATO policies threaten world security.

On Tuesday, Stop NATO reported Pentagon plans "to deploy hundreds of (tanks and other) armored vehicles near Russia's border."

Imagine Washington's response if Moscow positioned armored columns along America's northern and/or southern borders. WW III could follow.

On Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya was clear and unequivocal saying:

"Russia is faced with coordinated efforts to undermine its economy, which come as a hidden part of the official sanctions war against us."

"The S&P decision to drop Russia’s sovereign rating is in line with this policy. It is absolutely politicised, biased and politically motivated."

"I’d like to add that this decision is worthless, but unfortunately, it has a price, since it increases the cost of external borrowings for us and affects the prospects for the Russian securities markets."

"The fact that this step was taken now is not surprising. By an 'odd confluence of circumstances,' it coincided with yet another round of anti-Russian hysteria."

Referring to Mariupol's shelling and alleged New York-based Russian spies.

"I personally have no doubt that this decision was not just suggested, but outright ordered by Washington," Nebenzya stressed.

Plenty of clear evidence supports him. Washington's political and economic war on Russia rages. Risking possible direct confrontation.

Downgrading Russian debt to junk was a brazen politicized act. On direct orders from Washington. Entirely unjustified.

Russian national debt as a percent of GDP is extremely low at 11%, Paul Craig Roberts explained. Compared to America's tenfold higher debt at 105% of GDP.

Way understated, said Roberts. All US government data are phony. "Magic numbers," according to Roberts. Manipulated to make rotten conditions look rosy.

Russia’s credit is strong. Nothing suggests otherwise. America's credit rating should have been cut to junk, said Roberts.

Any US credit rating agency trying "would be closed and prosecuted," he explained. Labeled "terrorist organizations."

"Never expect any truth from any Wall Street denizen. They lie for a living." They may help lying things into WW III.

Washington is relentless. Ruthless. Maniacal. Stopping at nothing to advance its imperium. Lunatics running things may destroy planet earth to control it.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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