Key facts
- Two Russians, Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov, have been convicted of terrorism and spying in Angola.
- Ratchin was sentenced to 11 years in prison, and Lakshtanov received an eight-year sentence.
- The court found them guilty of criminal association, espionage, terrorism, and illegal retention of currency.
- Authorities alleged their involvement in a Russian political influence operation called Africa Politology.
- The operation was accused of spreading anti-Western narratives and aiming to influence Angola's presidential election.
- Two Angolans were also tried; one received a suspended sentence, and the other was acquitted.
A court in Angola's capital, Luanda, has convicted two Russian nationals, Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov, of terrorism and spying. Ratchin, a political consultant, received an 11-year prison sentence, while translator Lakshtanov was sentenced to eight years. Both denied the charges, which included accusations of stirring up anti-government protests, conducting disinformation campaigns, and attempting to interfere in the upcoming presidential election.
Angolan authorities alleged that Ratchin and Lakshtanov were involved in a political influence operation linked to "Africa Politology," which they described as a Russian political network. Prosecutors claimed this network sought to spread anti-Western narratives and influence Angolan politics ahead of the elections. The defendants maintained they were working on establishing a Russian cultural center and denied any connection to the Russian state or the Wagner mercenary group.
Two Angolans, sports journalist Amor Carlos Tomé and political activist Francisco Oliveira, were also on trial for their alleged roles in the influence operation. Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Oliveira was acquitted. Prosecutors have appealed Tomé's sentence, and he is expected to remain in custody pending the appeal's outcome.
The indictment, which the defense had challenged for alleged errors, stated that the Russians paid over $24,000 to local journalists and experts to spread pro-Russian and anti-government content. The court rejected a defense request to call several politicians as witnesses, deeming their testimony unnecessary.