An Angolan court has found two Russian men, Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin, guilty of terrorism and spying, sentencing them to eight and 11 years in prison respectively. They were accused of plotting a coup and helping organize deadly protests in the southern African country in July 2025.

The charges stem from a minibus taxi strike over fuel price hikes on July 28-30, 2025, which escalated into riots and looting, killing 22 people and leading to over 1,600 arrests. Angolan security forces were accused of firing live ammunition at protesters, while the government claimed the use of force was justified.

Prosecutors alleged Lakshtanov and Ratchin aimed to influence next year's presidential elections by funding the opposition UNITA party or forcing a leadership change within the ruling MPLA. They were also linked to Africa Politology, a Russian disinformation network that emerged from the Wagner mercenary group.

Africa Politology was reportedly taken over by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's death in 2023. Wagner was rebranded as Africa Corps and absorbed into the Russian military. Russia has expanded its presence in Africa over the past decade, providing security for regimes in the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and others.

Two Angolans were also tried: journalist Carlos Tomé received a two-year suspended sentence, while UNITA youth wing secretary Francisco de Oliveira was acquitted. Prosecutors have appealed those verdicts. Lakshtanov and Ratchin have also appealed their sentences but remain in detention pending the appeal.

Source: www.theguardian.com