Tishchenko's Case Has Signs of US Intelligence Services' Provocation - Embassy

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The case of Russian citizen Oleg Tishchenko, who was extradited from Georgia to the United States, has signs of a provocation, staged by the US intelligence services, the Russian Embassy in the United States said in a statement.

"The Russian Embassy in the United States is closely following the situation around the arrest of Russian citizen O. M. Tishchenko, who has earlier been extradited from Georgia [to the United States]. He is accused of five charges, including smuggling, violation of the law on arms exports ban as well as conspiracy against the United States. The case has signs of the US intelligence services' provocation," the statement posted on the embassy's Facebook page on late Tuesday said.

According to the embassy, Tishchenko is held now in a prison in the Weber County of the US state of Utah.

"Now we are seeking consular access to our compatriot. We will provide O. M. Tishchenko with the necessary consular assistance so that his rights will be respected," the statement added.

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Tishchenko, 42, is a video game developer, who worked on high-precision flight simulators. He is accused of online purchasing documentation about various planes, including F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighters. The criminal case was opened in 2016 and, in early 2019, Tishchenko was arrested in Georgia and later transferred to the United States.