MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian media reported earlier in the day that Poteyev died in the United States of unknown causes. Russia’s former federal security chief Nikolai Kovalev suggested, in a comment to RIA Novosti, that US authorities had staged his death as part of the witness protection program.
"He was of no use to anyone. You’ll be giving him too much credit by suggesting that they staged an operation regarding his death for his sake," Morozov, an ex-intelligence agent, told RIA Novosti.
Poteyev was at the center of a scandal in 2010 when the FBI claimed it had busted a ring of Russia’s alleged sleeper spies, including Anna Chapman who became a celebrity in Russia, who were handed over to Russia. Poteyev was convicted in absentia for high treason and desertion.
