Airline executive arrested on suspicion of treason

An executive-level employee of Russian airline Aeroflot has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of treason.

Dmitry Fedotkin, who is Aeroflot’s country and station manager in London, has been placed in pre-trial detention until 10 January 2021, according to The Moscow Times.

TASS has reported that Fedotkin is suspected of passing Russian secrets to British intelligence services. However, the news agency also said Fedotkin would not have had access to state secrets “due to the nature of his activities”.

If he is found guilty, Fedotkin will face up to 20 years in prison.

The Moscow Times reported the regional airline head has maintained his innocence and that the airline’s Moscow offices were searched by Russian security services last week, but did not say why.

This comes as the Russian government has put forward its recommendation for Aeroflot’s new CEO.

Mikhail Poluboyarinov, who is head of Russia’s State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK), has been picked as the Kremlin’s favourite to lead the state carrier, according to Reuters.

The Russian government is Aeroflot’s controlling shareholder.

Featured image source: iStock/ronstik