Guide Note: March 20, 2008: Alexander Zaslavsky was charged with industrial espionage by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

Zaslavsky and his brother Ilya were arrested on March 12 for collecting confidential information about Russian oil and gas companies, presumably with the intention of giving international companies an unfair advantage.

Zaslavsky has close ties to the British Council and the oil company TNK-BP, which is partially-owned by British Petroleum. The incident further harms British relations with Russia, which has accused the British Council of espionage in the past. Fast Facts:

1. Holds dual-citizenship with Russia and the United States
2. Graduated from Oxford University
3. President of the British Alumni Club, which operates through the British Council
4. Brother Ilya, also charged, is employed by TNK-BP
5. Both brothers were arrested on March 12, 2008 for trying to pick up classified information from a Russian oil company employee

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