Russian Spy Suspect Jumps Bail In Cyprus

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Reuters

LARNACA, Cyprus (Reuters) - An alleged Russian spy wanted by the United States has gone missing 24 hours after being released on bail in Cyprus, police on the Mediterranean island said on Wednesday.

Christopher Robert Metsos, 55, was arrested on the holiday island on Tuesday after being named by the U.S. Justice Department. He was released on bail but failed to report to a police station on Wednesday evening.

U.S. authorities believe he was the paymaster for a network of agents in the United States.

Cypriot police checked his holiday apartment in the southern coastal town of Larnaca but did not find him.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/06/30/news/news-us-...

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Not surprised.

Not exactly John le Carré.

[DJ13]

2. A suspected spy gets bail?!

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Yeah, apparently the Cyprus police were a bit pissed off he made bail

If anyone's a flight risk, it's someone involved with spying organisations and fake passports.

The Cyprian courts got €20,000 bail money out of it - perhaps they just thought they'd go for the easy money.

[LisaL]

6. Very low bail at that.

I think anyone could see that coming from a mile away.

[Karenina]

3. I'm SHOCKED!!!

This "bright shiny object" is nothing but a tempest in a teapot. Trial balloon. Diversionary tactic. It's nonsense and in a sane world would not gain any traction. It's nothing more that a lame appeal to the Baby Boomers who dived under their desks to again buy into that long discredited RUSSIAN BEAR MONSTER. ENEMIES EVERYWHERE!!! WE HAVE TO KILL THEM ALL!!!

The stupid, it burns.

Can anyone post that graphic? My link contains an illegal code.

[LisaL]

7. I find the whole story with the supposed spy ring very bizarre to say

the least.

[The abyss]

15. Agree 100% !

[EFerrari]

10. "If it weren't for Miss America, Atlantic City would be sold to Cuba!" -- Archie Bunker

lol

[Mojorabbit]

5. If I were accused of this

I might do it too even if I was innocent. The publicity worldwide on these cases will be intense and the pressure for a conviction the same.

[bemildred]

8. Is a "paymaster" anything like a "bagman"?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagman

[formercia]

14. Case Officer

He was probably the highest ranking member of the Network. He would have known everyone.

[Robb]

16. Field ops officer is closer.

[formercia]

18. That's what a Case Officer does.

To be more accurate, he would be a NOC (Non-Official Cover).

The Russians have their own designations, but it's a fair approximation.

[Robb]

20. Sort of. nt

[Warpy]

9. Post a chump change bail, hop onto your yacht, and sail away

Just how stupid are they there?

[eagertolearn]

11. I wondering what is considered a spy...how about our CIA agents?

I wouldn't want them to be considered that but isn't this what they are doing too?

[Robb]

17. "Agricultural attachés."

...The CIA doesn't have "spies."

[formercia]

19. Official Cover. n/t

[DFW]

12. Real bright justice there

If the guy was really a Russian spy, did they expect him to hang around for his interrogation?

That's like expecting Dick Cheney and Karl Rove to go on Larry King Live and tell the whole truth about Valerie Plame and the Iraq invasion.

[SunnySong]

13. In other news Springfield nuclear technician Max Power may have used fake name. nt