The trial had until then taken place behind closed doors, and very few details have filtered out about the accusations against Gene Spector. In the context of the Russian assault in Ukraine in February 2022, several Westerners, particularly Americans, were arrested in Russia and targeted with serious accusations, often never substantiated.
Gene Spector, an American of Russian origin, had already been sentenced in September 2022 to three and a half years in prison for “corruption” in a case concerning a former assistant to former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. Russian authorities announced to State 2023 that he was also accused of espionage and had pleaded guilty and entered into a collaboration agreement with investigators. As the case was classified, no other information had been made public.
Towards a new exchange of prisoners
According to the TASS agency, Gene Spector was born and raised in the United States before settling in Russia, where he obtained citizenship. He held the position of chairman of the board of directors of the Russian Medpolimerprom group of companies.
On August 1, the West and Russia carried out the largest exchange of prisoners since the end of the Cold War, including American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, freed by Moscow. Rumors are circulating about a new exchange of prisoners between Westerners and Russians before or just after Donald Trump's arrival at the White House in January.
