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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rachel Savage in Johannesburg and agencies

Two Russian men jailed in Angola for terrorism and spying

Four men in handcuffs stand behind a table with several laptops in a courtroom
Lev Lakshtanov, left, and Igor Ratchin, second left, who have been sentenced to eight and 11 years respectively, at a hearing in August 2025. Photograph: Ministerio do Interior/Governo de Angola

Two Russian men have been found guilty by an Angolan court of terrorism and spying after being accused of planning a coup and helping to organise deadly demonstrations in the southern African country last year.

Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin were sentenced to eight and 11 years in jail respectively. They had denied the charges, claiming they were in Angola for cultural and business activities.

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