Two Russians Jailed in Angola for Terrorism and Espionage as Court Rules on Alleged Election Influence Plot
An Angolan court has sentenced two Russian nationals to lengthy prison terms after finding them guilty of terrorism, espionage and other offences linked to an alleged plot to influence the country’s political landscape ahead of its upcoming presidential election.
The verdict, delivered by a court in the capital, Luanda, marks the conclusion of one of Angola’s most closely watched national security trials in recent years. Political consultant Igor Ratchin received an 11-year prison sentence, while translator Lev Lakshtanov was sentenced to eight years after both men were convicted on multiple charges. The pair consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.
The two Russians were arrested in August 2025 following an extensive investigation by Angolan authorities, who accused them of orchestrating anti-government activities, conducting disinformation campaigns and attempting to interfere in Angola’s political affairs ahead of the country’s next presidential election.
According to prosecutors, the two men were part of a broader political influence operation connected to Africa Politology, an organisation that Angolan authorities described as a Russian political network that emerged from the now-defunct Wagner mercenary group. Investigators alleged that the network sought to expand Russian influence across Angola by promoting anti-Western narratives, cultivating relationships with influential political figures and shaping public opinion before the national polls.
Despite the prosecution’s claims, Ratchin and Lakshtanov denied any links to either the Wagner Group or the Russian government. Instead, they maintained that their activities in Angola were centred on plans to establish a Russian cultural centre in Luanda and insisted that their work had no political or criminal objectives.
The court ultimately found both defendants guilty of four offences, criminal association, espionage, terrorism and illegal retention of foreign currency, out of the 11 charges initially brought against them.
Their lawyer, Elizeu Nguiniti, declined to comment publicly after the judgment but told the court he disagreed with the verdict while acknowledging and respecting the court’s decision. Prior to the ruling, the defence team had requested that both Russians be extradited to Russia under bilateral cooperation agreements between the two countries. It remains unclear whether the court approved that request.
The case also involved two Angolan citizens who were accused of participating in the alleged Russian-linked influence operation. Sports journalist Amor Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended prison sentence, while political activist Francisco Oliveira was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence to convict him.
However, prosecutors immediately appealed aspects of the judgment, meaning Tomé is expected to remain in custody until the appeal process is concluded.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that the defendants were instrumental in organising the deadly anti-government protests that erupted across Angola in 2025. They alleged the Russians paid more than $24,000 to local journalists, analysts and experts to circulate pro-Russian messaging and anti-government content designed to provoke political unrest and influence public opinion.
Authorities also presented evidence they claimed linked the defendants to the alleged operation, including publications associated with the network, photographs and notes relating to the 2025 protests discovered on electronic devices seized during the investigation, as well as records of alleged communication with senior Angolan political figures.
Reports from Angola’s privately owned newspaper Novo Jornal indicated that the Russians admitted meeting politicians from both the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the opposition National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). However, they insisted those meetings were entirely legitimate and unrelated to any illegal political activity.
The defence sought permission to call several of those politicians as witnesses in an effort to support the defendants’ version of events, but the court rejected the request, ruling that their testimony was unnecessary for establishing the facts of the case.
The prosecution’s narrative has not gone unchallenged. Several Angolan activists have rejected claims that the nationwide protests were orchestrated by foreign actors, arguing instead that the demonstrations emerged organically from widespread public dissatisfaction.
Lakshtanov also defended himself during earlier hearings, telling the court he had lived and worked in Angola for nearly 40 years and that his long academic and professional career was incompatible with involvement in terrorism or extremist organisations.
Ratchin similarly described himself as a businessman whose primary objective in Angola was to establish a Russian cultural centre. He argued that payments made to various individuals were legitimate compensation for professional services and expressed surprise at both his arrest and the charges filed against him.
The trial itself attracted significant public attention after controversy emerged during its opening stages. During one of the initial hearings, the prosecutor declined to read the indictment aloud in open court, arguing that the defendants were already familiar with the accusations and that a formal reading was unnecessary.
Defence lawyers strongly objected, insisting that because the proceedings were public, journalists and members of the public had the right to hear the full allegations presented in court. Despite the objections, the prosecution maintained its position and proceeded without reading the indictment.
The indictment had already attracted criticism before the trial commenced. Defence lawyers argued that many of the allegations relied heavily on assumptions rather than concrete evidence, while the BBC reported identifying several apparent factual errors and misspellings within the document. Despite requests for clarification, prosecutors did not publicly address those concerns.
The BBC has also contacted the Russian Embassy in Angola for comment on the verdict but had not received a response at the time of publication.
The convictions represent one of Angola’s most significant prosecutions involving alleged foreign political interference and highlight growing concerns among African governments over the influence of foreign-linked political networks operating across the continent, particularly ahead of national elections.
