Source : AP
MOSCOW | 20 May 2011

An Israeli military attaché to Moscow who was expelled from Russia last week was carrying secret information when he was detained, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Vadim Leiderman was apprehended in Moscow on May 12, caught red-handed receiving classified information from a Russian citizen, the statement said.

Leiderman was declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country, which he did, the statement said.

Israel's military, however, has rejected allegations that Leiderman was a spy, saying in a statement Wednesday that the officer underwent a "thorough investigation" after he returned.