Angolan Court Convicts Two Russian Nationals on Espionage and Terrorism Charges

Judicial Verdicts in Luanda

Two Russian men have received significant prison sentences following an Angolan court ruling that found them guilty of terrorism and espionage. Lev Lakshtanov and Igor Ratchin faced charges related to an alleged plot to stage a coup and orchestrate violent demonstrations within the country. The court handed down an eight-year sentence to Lakshtanov and an 11-year term to Ratchin. Throughout the trial, both men denied the accusations, insisting their presence in Angola was purely for business and cultural purposes, as reported by The Guardian.

The legal proceedings also examined the roles of two local figures tried alongside the Russian nationals. Carlos Tomé, a sports journalist, received a two-year suspended prison sentence for his involvement. Francisco de Oliveira, who serves as the secretary-general of the youth wing for the opposition party UNITA, was acquitted of the charges brought against him. Despite the rulings, the case is not yet closed. Prosecutors have filed an appeal against the sentences, and both Russian defendants are also challenging their convictions. They remain in custody while these appeals move through the judicial system.

Context of the 2025 Unrest

The convictions stem from a volatile period in July 2025 when protests over rising fuel prices rapidly escalated. Between July 28 and July 30, a nationwide minibus taxi strike descended into looting and riots. Official figures confirm that 22 people lost their lives during the unrest, while security forces detained more than 1,600 individuals. Human Rights Watch had raised alarms earlier that month, specifically on July 12, accusing state forces of using excessive force, including teargas and rubber bullets, against demonstrators.

While the government maintains that its use of force during the later riots was both progressive and justified, the fallout created a deep rift. Prosecutors argued that the defendants sought to exploit this anger to shift the political climate. They specifically alleged that Lakshtanov and Ratchin aimed to manipulate the upcoming presidential elections by funneling financial support to UNITA or by forcing a leadership change within the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola. The MPLA has maintained continuous control over the nation since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

Russian Influence and Strategic Ties

Investigators linked the two men to a propaganda network known as Africa Politology. This entity reportedly emerged from the remnants of the Wagner Group. According to research from outlets including Forbidden Stories, the network fell under the control of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service following the 2023 death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. While the Wagner Group was eventually rebranded as Africa Corps and absorbed into the Russian military, its shadow continues to loom over regional security assessments across the continent.

Russia has steadily expanded its footprint across Africa over the last decade, often filling security voids. This expansion includes the deployment of personnel to countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Libya, and Sudan. A US Congress report details the spread of Russian military and security presence in several of these nations since 2023. In Madagascar, the administration of President Michael Randrianirina has deepened these ties further, installing Russian personnel within the presidential guard and promoting state-sponsored media coverage of the partnership.

Shifting Diplomatic Alignments

Historically, Angola remained a key ally of the Soviet Union during the long civil war that spanned from 1975 to 2002, with the MPLA receiving significant support from the Soviet Union and Cuba. This stood in direct opposition to the US and South Africa, which backed factions like UNITA. However, the diplomatic landscape has shifted significantly since President João Lourenço assumed office in 2017. Under his tenure, Angola has sought to strengthen its relationships with both European nations and the United States, balancing these interests against its historical reliance on oil exports and Russian ties.

The Russian embassy in Angola has not provided comment regarding the convictions. As the appeals process begins, the outcome will likely remain a focal point for observers of regional stability. The intersection of local opposition politics, fuel price volatility, and the growing complexity of foreign influence networks continues to define the internal security challenges faced by the Luanda government.