In brief
In Luanda, a court convicted Igor Ratchin and Lev Lakshtanov for terrorism, espionage and organized crime related to an alleged Russian influence operation in Angola. The pair denied the charges, claiming they sought to establish a cultural centre, yet prosecutors accused them of stirring dissent ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. Their sentences came amid a broader crackdown on a network called Africa Politology, said to be the political wing of the former Wagner mercenary group. Two Angolan co‑defendants, sports journalist Amor Carlos Tomé and activist Francisco Oliveira, received a suspended sentence and an acquittal in a related case. The verdict highlights increasing scrutiny of foreign influence operations on the continent.
An Angolan court in Luanda yesterday convicted two Russian nationals—political consultant Igor Ratchin and translator Lev Lakshtanov—of terrorism, espionage and related offenses. Ratchin was handed 11 years and Lakshtanov eight years, a verdict reached after they denied all charges.
They were arrested in August following accusations of organised anti‑government protests, a disinformation campaign and interference in Angola’s upcoming 2025 presidential election. Prosecutors linked them to a network called Africa Politology, described by authorities as the political wing of the now‑defunct Wagner mercenary group.
According to the indictment, which the BBC examined, Ratchin and Lakshtanov allegedly financed local journalists, paid more than $24,000 to spread pro‑Russian and anti‑government content, and sought to influence political parties on both sides of Angola’s political spectrum.
Both men claimed their activities were part of a cultural exchange project and that they were simply conducting legal transactions. Lawyers for the defendants requested extradition to Russia, but the Angolan court did not confirm approval of that request.
In a related case, Angolan sports journalist Amor Carlos Tomé received a two‑year suspended sentence, whereas political activist Francisco Oliveira was acquitted. Tomé remains in custody pending an appeal.
The trial has drawn criticism for its handling of the indictment, including the prosecutor’s decision not to read the charges aloud in court and accusations that the documents contain factual errors. Lawyers have challenged the evidence and the methodology of the inquiry, but the court upheld the convictions for 11 of 14 charges, including criminal association, espionage, terrorism and illegal currency retention.
While the case centres on the two Russians, it reflects a broader trend of foreign influence and covert operations across African nations, with Russian entities extending their reach through networks such as Wagner. Reports indicate such campaigns have been active in countries like the Central African Republic, Mali and Madagascar for over a decade.
The decision underscores Angola’s tightening of security measures and its stance against perceived external meddling, while raising questions about the role of former mercenary groups in regional politics.
