Two Russians handed down jail terms for terrorism and spying in Angola

What the report says

BBC Africa reports that a court in Luanda, Angola’s capital, has convicted two Russian nationals on terrorism and espionage charges linked to alleged efforts to influence Angolan politics. Political consultant Igor Ratchin was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while translator Lev Lakshtanov received an eight-year term. Both men denied the accusations, which stemmed from their arrest last August over claims they helped encourage anti-government protests, spread disinformation and interfere ahead of Angola’s next presidential election.

According to the BBC, prosecutors alleged the pair were connected to Africa Politology, described by Angolan authorities as a Russian political network emerging from the former Wagner mercenary group. The indictment reportedly accused the network of promoting anti-Western messaging, building political contacts and seeking influence in Angola. Ratchin and Lakshtanov denied links to Wagner or the Russian state, saying they were pursuing plans for a Russian cultural centre in Luanda.

Two Angolan defendants were tried alongside them: sports journalist Amor Carlos Tomé and political activist Francisco Oliveira. Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while Oliveira was acquitted. Prosecutors appealed immediately after the ruling, and the BBC reported that Tomé is expected to remain in custody while that appeal is pending.

The case matters because it places Angola within wider concerns about Russian-linked political operations in Africa, where Wagner-associated operatives have previously been reported in countries including the Central African Republic, Mali and Madagascar. The BBC also noted that the defence challenged the indictment and that the trial included disputes over procedure and evidence. The Russian embassy had not responded to the BBC’s request for comment at publication time.