Angolan Court Sentences Russian Men to Prison for Terrorism and Spying
Two Russian men, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, have been convicted by an Angolan court of terrorism and spying, and sentenced to prison terms. They were accused of planning a coup and organizing deadly demonstrations in Angola last year. The men had denied the charges, claiming they were in the country for cultural and business activities.
An Angolan court has found two Russian men, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, guilty of terrorism and spying, after they were accused of planning a coup and helping to organize deadly demonstrations in the southern African country last year. The demonstrations in question were sparked by fuel price increases, and resulted in violence and loss of life. The Russian men were sentenced to eight and 11 years in jail, respectively, with Lakshtanov receiving the shorter sentence. They had denied the charges against them, claiming that they were in Angola for cultural and business activities, and not for any nefarious purposes. The conviction and sentencing of the two men marks the end of a high-profile case in Angola, and highlights the country's concerns about external interference in its internal affairs. The case has also raised questions about the role of foreign actors in African politics, and the potential for external powers to influence events on the continent.
