Russia's FSB 'arrest' video of a Reading-raised Romanian jailed as a spy was filmed MONTHS after he was detained
David Adrian Kercso, 23, says he was lured to the Black Sea by Valeria, a woman he met online while working for an electronics recycler in Reading. He travelled via Turkey to meet her in August 2024. The couple crossed into Abkhazia, where pro-Russian separatists paraded him on video. In March he was jailed for 15 years for allegedly spying for Ukraine, which he denies.
The staged clip was shot in a Sochi park in mid-April, long after his capture.
Kercso alleges he was coerced and tortured in custody and hopes to appeal.
The FSB, Romania, Ukraine and Russia's London embassy all refused to comment.
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The IndependentFrom Reading to Russia: How a Romanian’s love affair across Europe ended in a Russian jail for spyingNY PostRomanian man David Adrian Kercso sentenced to 15 years in Russian prison for spying — but FSB arrest video was staged: reportReutersLove affair to staged arrest: how a Romanian from England was jailed in Russia as a spyOutlook IndiaRussia’s ‘Spy Arrest’ Video Raises Questions Over Romanian’s 15-Year Sentence - Outlook IndiaInformat.roReuters: The footage of the arrest of Romanian national David Adrian Kercso in Russia was allegedly staged on Monday after his detention - Informat.roThe TelegraphThe off-grid wanderer accused of being a mercenary for Ukraine
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