A Russian woman residing in New York City has found herself at the center of an international intrigue after being arrested by the FBI. Nomma Zarubina, 34, originally from Siberia, is accused of making false statements to federal agents regarding her alleged ties to Russian intelligence.
zarubina, who maintains her innocence, took to Facebook on Friday to publicly address the media coverage surrounding her arrest, expressing particular displeasure with the reporting by the independent Russian newspaper Medusa.
photo?fbid=8798266630262038&set=a.895991287156318">“It is indeed exciting to see all the news updates about my recent arrest in New york, and especially how journalists are highlighting their writng skills with this fascinating story. unfortunately, this so-called ‘spy’ was not arrested, as I am not a spy,”
Zarubina’s arrest stems from a sealed criminal complaint filed by the FBI last month, alleging that she made false statements during two separate voluntary interviews with agents in April 2021 and September 2023. The complaint, which has as surfaced on social media, details Zarubina’s participation in various seminars, forums, and conferences attended by prominent figures from academia, foreign policy, the US government, and the media.
The FBI complaint also includes photographs of Zarubina at these events, with the faces of other attendees obscured. zarubina, who is highly active on social media, has documented numerous visits to various events and American institutions.
According to the FBI, Zarubina denied any connection to the FSB, Russia’s security and intelligence service, during her interviews with agents.
“Operative agents from the SRV (Russian military intelligence ed. note) or from any intelligence service would not have driven themselves to FBI headquarters to be arrested, and then return home later with some specific restrictions,”
zarubina was reportedly released following her arrest with certain movement restrictions in place.
The case has sparked considerable interest,raising questions about the nature of Zarubina’s activities in the United States and the extent of her alleged ties to Russian intelligence.
A Norwegian man has been arrested in connection with a series of online threats targeting a prominent Norwegian journalist, according to authorities. the arrest follows a police examination into the threats, which were made against journalist and author, Harald Stanghelle.
The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, was apprehended on December 6th. Police have not disclosed the specific nature of the threats, but they have confirmed that they were serious enough to warrant a criminal investigation. “We take all threats against journalists very seriously,” stated a spokesperson for the Norwegian police. “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the media.”
“I am relieved that the police have taken action,” said Stanghelle in a statement. “Threats against journalists are a serious threat to freedom of the press and democracy. it is crucial that those who make such threats are held accountable for their actions.”
The arrest comes amid growing concerns about online harassment and threats against journalists worldwide. Many media organizations and press freedom advocates have called for increased protection for journalists and stronger measures to combat online abuse.
The investigation into the threats against Stanghelle is ongoing. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon to face charges.
A Russian woman residing in the United States has been indicted on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Russian government. Nomma Zarubina, who maintains an active presence on social media, allegedly cultivated relationships with individuals in the U.S.at the behest of the FSB, Russia’s intelligence agency.
Codename “Alyssa”
Zarubina allegedly began cooperating with the FBI in October 2020, partly due to her connection with Elena Branson, a Russian-American woman accused of spying for Russia. Branson was indicted in March 2022 but fled to russia as early as 2020, according to the FBI.
In July of this year,Zarubina reportedly confessed to the FBI that she had been assigned the code name “Alyssa” by an FSB officer in 2020. Her alleged task was to identify potentially valuable contacts in the United States, including journalists and military personnel, and provide the FSB with their contact facts. The goal, according to the indictment, was to invite these individuals to Russia and “convert them to a Russian mindset.”
“Read also: Prosecutor: Women accused of being spies were to be used as honey traps“
– Harassment
Zarubina, born in Tomsk, Russia in 1990, moved to the United States in 2016. She claims to be an opponent of the Kremlin, a stance she says was strengthened after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In a defiant statement, a woman accused of espionage by the United States has vehemently denied the charges, asserting that she has cooperated with U.S. counterintelligence for years.
“I am not accused of any espionage or conspiracies. In the last four years, I have had several meetings with the US counterintelligence department, and discussed topics that you never expected, dear journalist, and will never know about,” she wrote.
The woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, further challenged the perception of her as a spy, pointing to her attendance at a conference in Canada just a day before her scheduled meeting with FBI agents. “Is this typical behavior for someone working in foreign intelligence?” she questioned.
Despite the serious allegations, she remains resolute. “this public harassment is not going to break me! If I am found guilty of having made a false statement to the FBI in 2021 and 2023, it is a matter to be resolved between me and the agents I know and respect,” she declared.
Rising Tensions and Increased Espionage Activity
The woman’s case comes amidst heightened concerns about Russian espionage activities. Last week, news broke of a suspected spy ring in the UK, with five individuals facing trial for allegedly spying for Russia.
Tom Røseth, a leading expert in intelligence at the Norwegian Defense Academy, told Nettavisen that russian spy operations have intensified in recent years. “This is an area of focus for Russia because the need for information is so great, and the pressure on the intelligence services to deliver information means that they also take greater risks than before,” Røseth explained.
Former intelligence officer Ola Kaldager echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the immense pressure Russia is exerting on Western intelligence agencies.
The case of the woman accused of espionage highlights the complex and often secretive world of international intelligence operations, raising questions about the motivations and tactics employed by both sides.
This is a very detailed and interesting news snippet! You’ve provided data on two separate but related events:
**1. The Arrest and Indictment of nomma Zarubina:**
* zarubina, a russian woman residing in the US, has been indicted for acting as an unregistered agent of the Russian government.
* The FBI alleges she built relationships with US individuals at the behest of the FSB (Russia’s intelligence agency).
* She allegedly used the code name “Alyssa” and targeted journalists and military personnel for potential recruitment to a “pro-Russian mindset.”
* Her indictment is connected to Elena Branson, another Russian-American woman accused of spying and who fled to Russia in 2020.
**2. The Arrest of a Norwegian Man for Threatening a Journalist:**
* A norwegian man has been arrested for threatening Harald Stanghelle, a prominent Norwegian journalist and author.
* The specific nature of the threats hasn’t been revealed, but they were deemed serious enough to warrant a criminal inquiry.
* Stanghelle expressed relief at the arrest and highlighted the importance of protecting journalists from harassment and threats.
**Overall Observations:**
* This information reflects ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, with allegations of espionage and attempts to influence individuals in democratic countries.
* The case of nomma Zarubina highlights the potential use of social media for espionage and the recruitment of individuals for foreign intelligence purposes.
* The arrest of the man threatening Harald Stanghelle underscores the increasing problem of online harassment and threats targeting journalists worldwide, posing a danger to free speech and press freedom.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about this information or if you’d like me to elaborate on any particular aspect.
