June 28, 2010 | US authorities have arrested 10 alleged Russian spies accused of serving as undercover secret agents with the goal of penetrating government policymaking circles.
The arrests came after a secret investigation over several years that used extensive surveillance of communications and phone taps, including putting listening devices into the homes of the accused.
The suspects, who were charged in court with conspiracy to act as an agent for a foreign government, were accused of being trained and tasked by Russia to gain intelligence about topics ranging from nuclear weapons, the CIA, congress and positions on Iran.
Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports from Washington DC.
The 'spies' next door
June 29, 2010 | A group of 11 people accused of being Russian spies have been arrested in raids by US authorities. Some of the arrestees had been living in the suburban US for decades.
The White House says improving relations with Russia should not be hurt by the allegations. Russia meanwhile has denounced the arrests as a throwback to the Cold War era. The alleged agents have not been accused of espionage but the charges brought against them could be punishable by only five in prison and not twenty years.
The suspects in the case settled on the east coast of the United States -- around Boston, Washington and New York. According to their friends and neighbors they attracted little suspicion.
Al Jazeera's Cath Turner traveled to suburbs outside of New York City and found surprise among many who knew the suspects.
