Indian Embassy Employee Arrested in Moscow Allegedly Honeytrapped by ISI for Espionage (59 characters)

An employee of the Indian embassy in Moscow, who was arrested in Lucknow on January 28, has allegedly confessed to being honeytrapped by a woman claiming to be from Canada and enticed with Rs 25 lakh to collaborate in a web of espionage orchestrated by the Pakistani spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrested individual, identified as Satyendra Siwal, was stationed in Moscow as a security assistant since 2021 and is accused of divulging classified information about Indian military installations and foreign offices. Siwal reportedly developed a relationship with the woman despite being married and having children. The woman, purportedly acting on behalf of ISI, lured him into sharing sensitive data in exchange for money. The Uttar Pradesh Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has requested Moscow to verify the details of Siwal’s bank accounts there. Siwal now faces charges under section 121A (conspiracy against the state) and the Official Secrets Act, 1923. ATS has confiscated Siwal’s electronic devices for forensic analysis, and they suspect attempts by ISI operatives to entice employees of the Ministry of External Affairs with financial incentives for sensitive information.