Russian men jailed in Angola for terrorism and spying

Two Russian men, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, have been sentenced to eight and 11 years in jail respectively by an Angolan court for terrorism and spying. The men were accused of planning a coup and helping to organize deadly demonstrations in Angola last year, which resulted in 22 deaths and over 1,600 arrests.

The demonstrations began as a minibus taxi strike over fuel price hikes but descended into riots and looting. Angolan prosecutors claimed that Lakshtanov and Ratchin wanted to influence next year’s presidential elections, including by funding the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) or by forcing a leadership change within the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).

The men were also linked to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation and propaganda network that emerged from the Wagner mercenary group. Africa Politology was taken over by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) after the death of the Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023.

Angola has historically been close with Russia, but President João Lourenço has improved relations with the US and Europe since taking power in 2017. However, Russia has increased its presence in Africa in recent years, with the Wagner group and then Africa Corps providing security for several countries, including the Central African Republic, Mali, and Sudan.

Two Angolans were also tried alongside the Russians, with sports journalist Carlos Tomé receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence and Francisco de Oliveira, the secretary-general of UNITA’s youth wing, being acquitted. Prosecutors have appealed against the sentences, and Lakshtanov and Ratchin have also appealed against their sentences but will remain in detention while the appeal is processed.

Russia’s embassy in Angola did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case has highlighted the growing presence of Russia in Africa and the concerns of Western countries about Russian influence on the continent.