World

Russian spy suspects denied bail, third suspect to be released

by MylesMiller | July 2, 2010 at 04:46 am

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Myles Miller at United States District Court- United States Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis said Richard and Cynthia Murphy pose a flight risk and remanded them to federal custody.

Ellis granted $250,000 bail to veteran journalist/columnist Vicky Pelaez, saying the evidence outlined in the complaint wasn't as strong against her as others. Pelaez was not immediately released after the nearly 3 hour hearing , the U.S. Attorney's office said they might appeal.

Pelaez's husband Juan Lazaro allegedly confessed according to prosecutors, saying his Yonkers home was purchased by Moscow Center.

The former Baruch College professor told prosecutors he is not really from Uruguay, and although he loved his 17 year old son "He would not violate his loyalty to the 'service' even for his son." A bail hearing for him was postponed.

Anna Chapman was not in court today as she was already denied bail on Monday. However her ex- husband Alex told the Guardian newspaper her father Vasily Chapman is a former member of the KGB.

“Anna told me her father had been high up in the ranks of the KGB. She said he had been an agent in 'old Russia’. Her father controlled everything in her life, and I felt she would have done anything for her dad," according to the 30 year old psychologist in training.

“When I saw that she had been arrested on suspicion of spying it didn’t come as much of a surprise to be honest.

Christopher Metsos, who prosecutors call the paymaster in this ring vanished in Cyprus Wednesday after skipping bail, prompting a widespread manhunt by Cypriot authorities.
According to media reports in Cyprus report Metsos may be in custody at a U.S. embassy compound on the island.

A spokesperson for the embassy said tyhey have no knowledge of the 54 year old payman’s whereabouts and the search effort for Metsos is entirely in the hands of Cypriot authorities.