Two Russians jailed up to 11 years in Angola after deadly riots

An Angolan court has handed down prison sentences of up to 11 years to two Russian nationals, convicting them of terrorism and espionage charges. The convictions are linked to deadly protests that erupted in the country last year, which spiraled into riots and looting.

The demonstrations, which took place from July 28-30, 2023, were initially triggered by a strike among taxi drivers protesting soaring fuel prices in the oil-rich nation. Angolan authorities stated that the violence resulted in 22 fatalities, though initial police reports indicated higher numbers, including 200 injured and 1,200 arrests. These events marked some of the most significant unrest in the Southern African country in years.

Prosecutors accused the two Russians, identified as Lev Lakhstanov and Igor Ratchin, of planning activities aimed at destabilizing Angola. They alleged the pair were involved in preparing a "coup d'état" and attempting to seize control of national economic assets. Lakhstanov received an eight-year sentence, while Ratchin was sentenced to 11 years. Both denied links to terrorist organizations, asserting their presence in Angola was for cultural and commercial purposes.

Further complicating the case, investigators suggested the Russians held meetings with politicians from both the ruling party and opposition. They also allegedly intended to provide financial support to the opposition party UNITA ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Russian embassy has not yet responded to requests for comment. An investigation by "All Eyes on Wagner" and French broadcaster RFI indicated Angolan authorities believe the two Russians were connected to "Africa Politology," a network described as a "vague Russian network uniting consultants and influence operation executors, lobbyists and lawyers, and state experts providing political consultations serving Russian influence."