MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) — Russia's Federal Security Service announced on Wednesday it had passed a criminal case to the Moscow City Court against Chinese citizen Tun Sheniyun, who had attempted to bribe one of the designers of the S-300 missile defense system. Supposedly, the defendant acted on orders of the Chinese ministry of national security. Tun Sheniyun was detained back on October 28, 2010.
Although he was detained on October 28, 2010, it is only now that the FSB decided to announce the fact. Perhaps, counterintelligence had finished its investigation, and the foreign spy will now face a trial, the "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" reports. According to the investigators, the Chinese, employed as an interpreter with official delegations, tried to obtain technological and repair data on the S-300 system in exchange for a bribe. The case against the suspected spy was opened over "attempted espionage." The FSB did not provide any other details.
It seems the S-300 missile defense system has been around for some time, and is part of the arsenal in a dozen of countries, including China, the "Rossiiskaya Gazeta" writes. What secrets can be found in this weapon? Take it apart, examine it, run as many expert examinations as you like, and all secrets will be revealed. But it appears not everything is that easy. You might understand how this or that device works, but never learn its production technology, the newspaper notes. Or, rather the complete production technology. There always remain some fine points, such as the chemical composition of certain partners, tempering procedures, etc. That is why the producer trading in armaments, licenses and patents, never discloses all. Perhaps, customers might need spare partners, maintenance, repairs, hence contracts might be extended.