Russian spy trial begins in Moscow

In Russia, the trial is due to start of a military specialist accused of treason.

Igor Suchagin, a researcher at a top Moscow institute, is accused of passing military secrets to a British consultancy firm, Alternative Futures, which Russian secret police believe was a cover for western intelligence.

Mr Suchagin admits to having been hired by the company and visiting it in Britain, but he denies revealing any secrets.

He insists that any information he provided on the state of the Russian military was in the public domain.

A BBC correspondent in Moscow says the case has raised fears that Russia's security service may be attempting to limit contacts between Russian academics and western organisations.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service