Edmond Pope, an American businessman suffering from bone cancer who has languished in a Russian jail for eight months, was convicted of espionage Wednesday and sentenced to 20 years in prison. A Moscow court ignored an emotional plea from Pope, who denies illegally obtaining classified blueprints for a high-speed torpedo, as well as political pressure from the United States, in handing Pope the maximum sentence. Under Russian law, Pope has seven days to appeal the sentence.
Russia Convicts 'Spy'
Edmond Pope, an American businessman suffering from bone cancer who has languished in a Russian jail for eight months, was convicted of espionage Wednesday and sentenced to 20 years in prison. A Moscow court ignored an emotional plea from Pope, who denies illegally obtaining classified blueprints for a high-speed torpedo, as well as political pressure from the United States, in handing Pope the maximum sentence. Under Russian law, Pope has seven days to appeal the sentence.
