David Smith, a former security guard at the British Embassy in Germany, was motivated by his support for Russian president Vladimir Putin and hatred of the UK when he began collecting classified documents in 2018.
He sent two letters to senior officials at the Russian Embassy in 2020, with one exposing the identity of a diplomat who had worked in Russia - referred to as X - as well as details of colleagues.
Police launched an investigation after Smith's second letter to a military attache at the Russian Embassy in November 2020 was traced back to him.
In an undercover sting operation in August 2021, two role players were deployed as a fake Russian defector and intelligence officer.
This story is from the February 18, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the February 18, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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