FBI scours 'spy' home for clues

FBI agents confiscate letters at Mr Hanssen's house

FBI agents have been scouring Robert Philip Hanssen's home in the hunt for evidence of spying activities.

US intelligence chiefs are trying to calculate the national security damage allegedly wrought by Mr Hanssen, accused of spying for Moscow for more than 15 years.

FBI counter-intelligence expert Mr Hanssen has been charged with betraying Soviet double agents and selling secrets to Moscow, in what experts are calling one of the most serious espionage cases in recent US history.

I decided on this course of action when I was 14 years old. I'd read British spy Kim Philby's book. Now that's insane, eh!

Robert Philip Hanssen

Two of those double agents working for the Americans from the Soviet embassy in Washington were executed when they returned to Moscow, while a third was imprisoned.

It has emerged that Mr Hanssen, of Vienna, Virginia, may have found inspiration in the British intelligence officer and Soviet spy Kim Philby.

A letter written by the agent in March last year reveals that his fascination with espionage began at the age of 14 when he read a book by Philby, who served the KGB for 50 years.

Sensitive secrets

The 56-year-old father of of six was arrested on Sunday night, after allegedly making an information drop outside Washington.

He appeared in court in Virginia to be charged on Tuesday. A hearing was set for 5 March.

Mr Hanssen's lawyer, Plato Cacheris, said outside the courthouse that "at this point" he planned to plead not guilty to any charges brought against him.

Mr Hanssen faces the death penalty

In court, prosecutors said that Mr Hanssen's spying began in October 1985 and continued until his arrest.

If convicted, Mr Hanssen could face the death penalty and nearly $3m in fines.

An FBI affidavit describing his alleged spying said he passed some 6,000 pages of documents, including some of the US Government's most sensitive secrets.

Russian officials have declined comment as is routine in these cases.

Internal security

In return, he is alleged to have received $1.4m, as well as diamonds.

FBI Director Louis Freeh said the damage caused was exceptionally grave.

Information drops were made in a park near Washington

He said Mr Hanssen had evaded detection for so long because he was a "very, very experienced intelligence officer".

Former FBI head Judge William Webster is to launch a detailed review of the agency's internal security.

Investigators say Mr Hanssen was so meticulous and secretive he never met his Russian handlers. They only discovered the identity of their spy after his arrest.

Neighbours shocked

Mr Hanssen's neighbours in the northern Virginia community of Vienna said they were shocked by the revelation.

Robert Hanssen

Aged 56, father of six

Code name Ramon

Counter-terrorism expert

Adviser to the State Department

FBI agent for 27 years

Suspected of spying after internal audit

Allegedly disclosed electronic spying methods

"We're all devastated," said Richard McPherson, headmaster of the school Mr Hanssen's children attended.

"From our point of view he did seem like a good father and a good husband and a good professional."

But he was also described by Mr McPherson as being arrogant in his dealings with other people.

Mr Hanssen is said to be only the third FBI agent ever accused of spying.

In 1997, Earl Pitts, who was stationed at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, was sentenced to 27 years in prison after admitting he spied for Moscow during and after the Cold War.

The only other FBI agent ever caught spying was Richard W Miller, a Los Angeles agent who was arrested in 1984 and later sentenced to 20 years in prison.