Russian spy suspect missing after jumping bail in Cyprus

ATHENS/NICOSIA - A suspect wanted by the US for involvement in a Russian spy ring has gone missing in Cyprus, less than 24 hours after being released on bail, officials said.

Robert Christopher Metsos, 55, was arrested at Larnaca airport trying to fly to Budapest, Hungary in the early hours Tuesday. He is wanted for money laundering and espionage. Reports said he is a Canadian with a US passport.

Metsos appeared before an island magistrate which ordered him released on 20,000 euros ($24,410) bail, but then failed to report to a police station Wednesday evening. His extradition hearing was scheduled for July 29.

Authorities searched Metsos’ aparment in the southern coastal port town of Larnaca but could not find him.

“The Canadian is missing and we are in the process of issuing a warrant for his arrest,” said police spokesperson Michalis Katsounotos.

Police said Metsos may have fled to the Turkish-Cypriot northern part of the island, which is an unrecognised breakaway state, in order to avoid extradition to the US.

US authorities have already arrested 10 people on charges of spying on behalf of Russia over the course of 20 years.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for acting illegally as an agent of a foreign government, plus an additional 20 years on the money laundering charges.

Metsos is believed to be the 11th suspect US authorities say is involved in a spy ring that was responsible for recruiting political sources and gathering information for the Russian government.